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About This Project
If you discover a puddle of water in the cabinet under your sink, it may be caused by a leaky basket strainer. Old plumbing fittings can be tricky to loosen, but we’ll show you how to tear them apart and put them back together without any strain. You can pick up all the necessary supplies at a hardware store or home center.
To be sure the leak is coming from the basket strainer instead of a pipe joint, test the basket for leaks. Once you confirm that the basket strainer is leaking, begin the removal process. Completely remove the locknut, friction ring and gasket, and lift the old basket out of the sink.
Scrape off the old putty with a plastic putty knife so you don’t scratch the sink. Seal the new basket ($6 to $12) in the sink with plumber’s putty ($1). Plumber’s putty cannot be used on certain new sinks, but these will be labeled to that effect. If you can’t use plumber’s putty, use a non-water-based silicone. Excess putty will squeeze out between the new basket strainer and the sink when you tighten the locknut in place. Wipe it off with a rag or paper towel. Make sure to insert the cardboard friction ring between the rubber gasket and the locknut so the locknut spins freely, without catching on the gasket.
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