How to find the right Slip Joint Nuts AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Slip Joint Nuts
- Tube size
- 1-1/4 in for bathroom sink drains. 1-1/2 in for kitchen sinks, tubs and laundry. These are the two standard trap sizes, and the nut must match the tube OD.
- Washer orientation
- The beveled side of the washer faces into the joint, toward the fitting the nut threads onto. A reversed washer is the most common cause of a leaking slip joint.
- Reducing washers
- Use a 1-1/2 x 1-1/4 in reducing washer to join a smaller tailpiece to a larger trap. This avoids buying a separate reducer fitting.
- Plastic vs. metal
- Use plastic nuts on plastic traps and metal nuts on metal traps. Hand-tighten plastic nuts plus a small turn. Overtightened plastic nuts crack, and mismatched threads strip.
Brands that matter
- Oatey: Widely available plumbing drain parts.
- Keeney: Drain and trap parts.
- Dearborn: Tubular drain parts and traps.
- Danco: Plumbing repair parts, including trap hardware.
What to avoid
- Pipe dope or tape on slip joints, which seal with the washer
- Wrenching plastic nuts tight
- Mixing 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 in parts without a reducing washer
Questions
Why does my new slip nut still leak?
Check that the washer bevel faces the joint, the tube is square into the fitting and the old washer has been replaced.