Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
If the leak is occurring at one of the joints between pipes, try tightening the slip nuts. On a metal trap, tighten them hand tight plus about a half turn (use slip-joint pliers to grip the nut). On a plastic trap, just hand tighten, and, if needed, give the nut about a quarter of a turn with slip-joint pliers. If that doesn't work, loosen and remove the entire trap.
First, check the large rubber slip washers or cone-shaped plastic washers that provide the watertight seal at each joint between the trap's pipes. Rubber washers may leak as the rubber hardens over time. If they're hard or deteriorated, replace them.
Plastic-pipe traps are more likely to leak if the pipes or washers become misaligned; check the alignment.
Check the pipes for rust or corrosion. If the pipe is corroded or cracked, take it with you to the hardware store to buy an appropriate replacement--replace the entire trap (PVC traps are inexpensive, durable, easy to work with, and don't corrode the way chromed brass drainpipes do).
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