Help me reassemble this sink plumbing

Submitted by fuzzybear3965 t3_10t14va in DIY

I disassembled a "telescoping bottle" trap below my apartment sink and I'm at a loss for reassembling it. I'm unable to get the vertical pipe member to couple to the bottle below it. It just slides freely - I'm not sure that it wasn't like that before - but it's not stable and it is leaking, so it seems likely that I'm missing something.

I recorded a video that demonstrates which pieces are available to me (really don't think I've lost anything) and how some things are known to connect. It _does_ have a video feed, but for some reason it's not playing properly on my browsers. So, you may need to download it if you try watching it and the video isn't visible. YouTube links aren't supported here, otherwise I'd link to my private video, there.

https://youtu.be/WO4vsNAn9kk

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Adam2013 t1_j74pc9g wrote

Go grab a p trap kit from homedepot/your big box store. It'll be about maybe $5?

If the p trap is siphoned dry after you shut off the water from the sink (it shouldn't, but might depending on how the behind the wall section is plumbed), you will need to add an under counter vent between the wall connection and the trap but that's only if needed.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j74pgbb wrote

I can grab a new one. But, how can I put this one back together?

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Adam2013 t1_j74qzyl wrote

Honestly not sure I could explain in text, but once you get the p trap kit, it'll have instructions on it as far as which way to orient the gaskets etc

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j74r4bv wrote

If it's easy for you (don't waste your time on it): Is it even possible to tell if I'm missing any pieces? If I have them all then I'll keep banging my head against a wall.

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j756hjr wrote

Look at the way you are holding the "trap" and the position of the tailpiece under the sink at the end of the video, keep them in that position but try switching the position of the green seal and white seal.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j756ub2 wrote

I think I solved it. The trick was to slide one of the gaskets (the white one) over the neck of the tube. The green gasket goes between the top of the tube and the base of the pipe coming out of the base of the sink. The white gasket forms a pressure fit between the female-threaded collar and the male threaded catch.

It's all assembled and everything's tight. I ran the sink for 20 minutes just to be sure. It took me two hours of trying every combination of attachments but I think it's solved.

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j757420 wrote

Yep. You got it!

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j757fy7 wrote

I was only 90% sure until you said that. Now I'm 91% sure.

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j757nso wrote

Lol, Well the green gasket is the one I would expect to see at the top but the white one looks a little different than what i would expect on the bottom joint but if it's working then I wouldn't worry about it.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j757rcq wrote

What makes you think the green one goes at the top?

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j7583w6 wrote

Cuz it looks like a tailpiece gasket. And experience.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j758f7x wrote

Man, I wish I had experience. I could have saved myself a couple of hours and a lot of cursing. Also, I found a picture of what I did. I think it's legit: https://images.app.goo.gl/peq6BDiYcHQEXa6f8 .

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j759hu0 wrote

You'll get there. Just keep working on stuff. I learned a lot through trial and error when I was younger.

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JustAnotherTrickyDay t1_j758teu wrote

I couldn't see your white gasket very well. but yes, what I would expect on the bottom of that tail piece is the one in the picture, the beveled gasket. In the it video looks kind of like it's flat but if it fits and it seals, that's all that matters. These things are not under much pressure.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j7591zg wrote

Yeah, mine is flat, not beveled. I guess I just meant that the arrangement of components in that picture reminded me of my solution - my gasket/washer is shaped differently, though, you're right.

That's why I didn't even think to slide it over the neck. Even when I tried it I was worried it would tear. But, the material is pretty strong (I had to remove and attach it a couple of times because of wrong order of events) and it really snugs in tight. So, even though it's flat and thin I think it's the ticket.

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skydiver1958 t1_j77g723 wrote

Not trying to be rude. I was watching the video and yelling "switch the gaskets". Live and learn. Glad you figured it out. Should be a breeze next time.

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j781dnk wrote

Haha, I rewatched it this morning and said the same thing. It's even more frustrating to know and not be able to tell yourself in the past than it is to be the confused person in the moment, I think.

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skydiver1958 t1_j782kn3 wrote

Hey don't beat yourself up. I'm 40 years in on general construction and still have brain farts once in awhile. You are born then you die. Everything in between is a leaning curve. Today was a TIL

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fuzzybear3965 OP t1_j785s41 wrote

Thanks, man. I was really kicking myself over this. I'm definitely not telling my brother.

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