How to fix movement of sink drain waste?

lozzicles

 This is my kitchen sink drain and waste basket, the drain seems to move around a lot while the other side has zero movement. Is this a sealant issue or do I need to replace something to stop it from moving? I haven’t noticed any leaks from under the sink but as this is new house I would love for it not to become a bigger problem if left. Thanks 

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @lozzicles. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about sink wastes.

Movement like that is usually down to how the waste is fixed rather than a sealant issue. Older style sink wastes are held in position entirely by a large nut underneath the sink. That nut pulls the waste down and compresses it against the underside of the sink, which is what stops it from moving. The first thing I’d do is get under the sink and check if there’s a large plastic or metal nut on the waste and see if it can be tightened up a bit. If that nut has worked loose, it will allow the waste to move even if it’s not leaking yet.

In the last five or so years, a lot of sink wastes have moved to a slightly different fixing method where the lower fitting is separate to the visible basket waste in the sink. If you remove the scrap collector or strainer from the top, you may find a flathead screw slot in the centre of the waste outlet. Using a large flathead screwdriver to tighten that from above can pull the whole assembly together and firm it up nicely.

There’s typically no sealant doing the work here. Sometimes a small bead is used, but most of the sealing is done by a rubber gasket. The key thing is that the waste needs to be properly tightened, either from underneath or from the top depending on the style. It’s good you’re onto it now, as fixing the movement early helps avoid leaks or damage down the track, especially in a new house.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell