Replace Connection At Wall
The sinks P trap will be connected to a drain in a wall by a short horizontal drain pipe. It is common for these pipes to develop holes and leak, particularly if the pipe is made of copper or galvanized steel. These horizontal drain pipes can sometimes be unscrewed from the pipe fitting in the wall and replaced with a PVC threaded adapter, which can be screwed into the steel fitting, glued onto PVC pipe and connected to the sinks P trap.
How Much Do Drain Tile Or French Drain Repairs Cost
French drain repairs typically involve cleaning to remove clogs or replacement for broken pipes. Cleaning costs between $150 and $200 per hour. The cost to install a French drain averages $5,000, but may vary depending on its type and location. Theyre found on a property near the home, with gravel or tile placed on top of a perforated pipe that collects and disposes of groundwater.
Removing Kitchen Sink Drain Pipe From Behind A Wall
I’m replacing an old galvanized pipe from my kitchen drain to the basement. The drain pipe corroded a couple feet down the line and is leaking. I’d like to replace the entire run from the sink to the sewer with PVC.
The sink drain runs into a wall behind the cabinets and then straight down into the basement.
I don’t know how to remove the section in the wall without cutting into the back of my fancy-ish new-ish cabinets and taking out drywall.
It looks like there’s a nut right on the wall. If I remove that nut should I just be able to pull the pipe down into the basement?
- Is the bottom picture form before the cabinets went in, or is that your current pipe access? CominternApr 9, 2016 at 2:45
- The bottom picture is from the basement looking up. The pipe that’s coming down into the elbow is running in the wall behind my cabinet. This and the area in the first picture is my only access. ResidualfailApr 9, 2016 at 3:04
- Just out of curiosity, how do you intend to get the new pipe in after the old one comes out?Apr 9, 2016 at 3:07
- 1I was hoping installation was the reverse. But I just realized I think there’s a vent going up through the wall to my roof that’s fixed to this section too. I’m starting to think I’ll have to suck it up and cut into that wall. ResidualfailApr 9, 2016 at 3:09
- It would be if it were just a straight pipe, but it’s going to have a tail piece sticking out the side of it.
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How To Repair A Leaking Pipe
There are two solutions when it comes to fixing a leaking pipe: minor repairs and total replacement.
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Minor repairs These can involve cutting into your drywall, finding the source of the leak, and then replacing the damaged sections. Or the plumber might put a simple patch over the leak and call it a day, but only if the leak is isolated.
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Total replacement Plumbers might decide that your entire system needs to be replaced, especially if your pipes are old or have the possibility for future leaks.
We break down the cost of potential repairs below. If leakage has been going on for a long time, and there is so much water damage, you may need to call restoration experts as well.
They can help extract water from your home, dry your walls, clean any affected personal items, and help with any insurance claims. They may be able to stop the leak, but plumbers are the ones who can help install new plumbing systems.
Install P Trap Adapter

For a new sink installation youll typically have a piece of pipe sticking out of the wall. In order to connect the P trap youll need a trap adapter that needs to be glued onto the pipe in the wall.
Since my pipes are ABS Im using ABS cement. I simply swab the inside of the trap adapter with some cement and do the same for the outside of the drain, making sure to fully coat both surfaces, then push on the adapter, all the way in, giving it a slight twisting motion, roughly a quarter turn.
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By Step Guide To Replacing A Bathroom Sink Drain Pipe
Step 1 You may not have to replace the entire drain system, so the first thing youll want to do is find where the leak is. You can do this by looking at the drain system with your eyes, or you can use a dry paper towel and touch different parts of the drain to find out where it gets wet.
Once you know where it is, you can get to work.
Step 2 Make sure the bathroom sink is turned off . Grab a large bowl or a bucket to put under the drain to catch any excess water that comes out when you start loosening the washers on the pipes.
Step 3 Remove the sections of the pipe where the leak is located. Or, if youre replacing the entire thing, take everything out.
Step 4 Take the pieces of new pipe out of your drain pipe replacement kit and start installing the new sections. Youll typically want to start with the pipe section that attaches underneath the sink drain first. Then, insert the j-pipe underneath that longer section of pipe and tighten the washer.
Make sure the small plastic ring is pointed in the right direction before you start tightening. The pointy end goes into the pipe it is attaching to. As the washer gets tighter, it will push the pointy end further in to create a water-tight seal.
Step 4 Grab the shorter section of the new pipe and attach one end to the j-pipe. Tighten the washer with the plastic ring pointed the right way, and then feed the other end into the plumbing pipe under your sink and do the same thing again.
Causes Of Leaking Pipes In Walls
Pipes may break for all sorts of reasons, including but not limited to:
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Backups If you are flushing more than just human waste or toilet paper, your pipes begin to clog up. They are possibly building up near a joint, ruining the seal and allowing water to leak.
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Rust When exposed to water and oxygen, cast iron pipes can rust or deteriorate over time without proper cleaning.
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Corrosion Copper pipes are supposed to be corrosion-resistant, but that does not mean they are corrosion-proof. Copper pipes are susceptible to formicary corrosion, appearing as a black patch where the metal has weakened. This leads to pinhole leaks, and those are difficult to detect at first but will be a significant problem later.
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Freeze Water and sewer lines can be exposed to extreme temperatures. Pipes could freeze and burst, leaving you with a huge mess to clean up.
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How To Fix Broken Drain Pipe In Wall
Over time, pipes become susceptible to damage through corrosion and every wear and tear. They may split and burst, and leave you with a broken pipe, without water. If you have a broken drain pipe in your wall and are good with your hands, then you may be able to fix it yourself. This article will walk you through the process of fixing a broken pipe and everything you will need.
Tools You Will Need For The Job
You wont need a lot to get the job done. All youll need is a pair of adjustable pliers that are large enough to fit around the washers.
A lot of people can loosen and get them tight enough by hand, but you should have some pliers on hand just in case.
You may also need a knife or a screwdriver to loosen things up depending on how long the existing drain pipe has been in there. There could be some sediment around the washers or in the pipes that need to be knocked loose so you can take them out.
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How To Install Sink Drain Pipe Photo : Place Plumbers Putty Around The Drain Opening
Roll plumber putty into a rope and encircle the drain opening. Install the rubber washer and the cardboard washer and tighten the locknut using the same method you used to remove the old one.
The primary seal around a basket strainer is plumbers putty, which doesnt last forever. Over the years it can harden, shrink or crack. Sometimes you can stop a leak by tightening the locknut. But in many cases, the only cure is a new dose of putty.
The hardest part of this job is unscrewing the old locknut, which is often welded in place by mineral deposits or corrosion. A special wrench designed just for locknuts, called a spud wrench or locknut wrench . Big slip-joint pliers with a 3-1/2 in. jaw opening will work too, plus you can use them for other jobs. Whatever tool you use, you might find that the locknut wont budge. In that case, a single cut with a hacksaw blade is the only solution . Its almost impossible to do this without cutting into the strainer threads, so plan on buying a new strainer.
Gurgling Or Other Odd Sounds
Similar to bad odors, gurgling or other odd sounds coming from your drains can be another key indicator of a drain pipe problem about to go from whats that noise? to whats that smell? and then to Ive never seen so much mold. We recommend doing a bit of investigation into where these sounds are coming from and calling a plumber if they persist or get more regular or louder.
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Cost To Repair A Leaking Pipe In Your Wall
Based on what sort of pipes need repair, the prices are broken down below.
- Water pipes Leaking water pipes cost an average of $150 to $350 to repair. Finding the leak may cost an additional $100. This does not include repairing your drywall after its fixed. Drywall repair costs an additional $250 to $750, depending on the holes size and location. If a pipe froze and burst, you might be looking at paying $1,000 to $4,000 in water damage and cleanup. Total replacement for water pipes could run anywhere from $350 to $2,000, and that doesnt include the plumbers hourly fee.
- Sewer pipes If you have a leak in your sewer line, most plumbers wont recommend small repairs. They tend to be rush jobs and dont solve the real problem. In that case, plumbers suggest trenchless sewer repair or conventional sewer repair. Trenchless sewer repair, on average, runs $60 to $250 per linear foot. The price depends on various factors, such as the pipe condition, ease of navigation, the amount of cleaning needed before the lining, the amount of piping, and the accessibility of the pipe. Conventional sewer repair, on average, costs $50 to $450 per linear foot. The price to install brand new pipes throughout your home or yard could run to $15,000 because of all the extensive work, such as trenching and excavation.
Cost To Replace A Drain Line By Location

The cost to replace drain pipes in your house can vary by location, from $100 to more than $5,000. Some locations make jobs much easierand others much more challenging. For example, a simple kitchen sink drain pipe replacement can cost as little as $150, but if you have to go under the concrete slab in the basement, prepare to spend upwards of $4,500.
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If You’re A Diyer Running Pipes We’ll Help You Navigate Plumbing Through The Trickiest Spots
- Skill Level:Advanced
The pipes that power faucets, showers, toilets, and other fixtures are typically hidden behind walls or under floors, a setup that requires careful planning for proper installation. Once you’ve drawn a plan for new plumbing, it’s important that you also develop a strategy for running the pipes. In a new building, or an addition where the framing is exposed, this is easy. But if you’re remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, be prepared to make changes in the plan once you’ve removed the wall covering and flooring.
Replacing finished surfaces after plumbing usually takes several days. Repairing a large wall patch takes only a little more time than a small patch, so open plenty of space for working.
Once you’ve opened the vent and drain lines, running the supplies, which will usually run alongside drain-waste-vent lines, will be relatively easy. Before you begin, brush up on your basic carpentry skills, understand your home’s structure, and make sure you know how to install pipe. It’s also a good idea to get your plan approved by the local building department to make sure it adheres to plumbing codes.
- Drill with various bits and hole saws
- Reciprocating saw
Cost Of Drain Pipe Repair And Replacement
When it comes to replacing or repairing the drain pipes in your house, the cost can range significantly depending on the type of drain pipe, the location in your home and the labor and material costs specific to your region. You can estimate an average cost between $250 and $1,250 with the national average around $700. These estimates are for replacing a smaller section of drain pipe. Replacing your entire drain pipe system could cost in the range of $15,000 to $20,000.
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Replace Entire Drain Pipe To House Sewer
It may be necessary to replace the entire drain pipe from the sink all the way to a main drain pipe in the building. This can be done in at least two basic ways. First, the wall can be opened and the old pipe removed and replaced with PVC pipe. Or the old drain pipe can be abandoned in the wall and a new drain installed through the floor under the sink. When a drain is abandoned, any vent pipes and drain connections must be rerouted to another drain or securely capped and sealed.
References
Install The Drain Tailpiece And Continuous Waste Pipe
The drain tailpiece is a short vertical length of straight pipe that joins the sink strainer to a tee fitting. The side outlet on the tee fitting will accept the continuous waste pipe coming from the garbage disposal , while the bottom outlet will continue on to the drain trap.
Temporarily install the tailpiece onto the sink strainer, using a slip nut . Temporarily connect the curved end of the continuous waste pipe to the garbage disposal’s drain outlet, using a slip nut and washer. Let the straight end of the pipe extend past the vertical tailpiece on the sink basin. The pipe should slope downward slightly toward the tailpiece.
Hold the tee fitting up to the tailpiece and waste pipe, and mark cutting lines on both pipes, where they will fit into the tee fitting. Now, cut the tailpiece and continuous waste pipe to length with a PVC tubing cutter or a hacksaw.
Reinstall the tailpiece and continuous waste pipe, along with the tee, leaving the connections hand-tight. Adjust the pieces as necessary, making sure the continuous waste arm has a slight downward pitch toward the tee fitting.
Tighten the slip nuts slightly more with channel-type pliers. These do not need to be overly tight the plastic threads can be damaged if you use too much force.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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How To Install A Bathroom Sink Drain
In my last tutorial, I showed you how I built a floating vanity for my powder room. In this DIY plumbing tutorial, Ill show you how to install the sink drain, namely the P trap.
If you also want to see how I installed my wall faucet and vessel sink, watch the video above.
There are 3 parts youll need when installing a new sink drain: a P Trap kit, a trap adapter, and a pop-up sink drain assembly.
- P trap with adapter
- Trap adapter
- Sink drain push pop-up assembly
Supporting The New Pipe
The newly installed pipe must be secure. You can use plastic pipe hangers or plumbers strapping to secure the pipe. Its best if you did this every 4ft. While you may not have replaced 4ft of pipe here, it is worth doing for security and safety if you can add a strap to the pipe. PVC cement takes 30 seconds to begin to bond, but the joints will need about 20 minutes to harden fully. So, handle the new piping with care until it is dry.
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Guide And Attach Pipes
Anchor the drainpipe with straps. Cut a smaller opening in the ceiling for the vent pipe. For a 1½-inch vent pipe, a 2½-inch hole is sufficient. Guide the vent pipe up through the hole and into the attic, or room above, and slip its lower end into the fitting at the floor.
Running drainpipe through joists calls for meticulous work. The holes must follow a straight line across the floor and must ascend or descend so the pipe will be sloped ¼ inch per foot.
Vent pipes might run level, although some codes call for a slight slope toward the main drain. All drain lines must be sloped. For a precise slope, strike a level line on the studs and measure down ¼-inch per running foot. Note that codes might also call for fireproof caulking in walls.
Common Types Of Drain Pipes For The Kitchen

There are four types of piping that are typically found in residential kitchen plumbing systems: copper, galvanized steel, ABS, and PVC. You may find that the piping for your sink consists of more than one type. While that can become confusing, it isnt uncommon. Heres how to tell which type of pipes you have in your kitchen:
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