The best way to fit a kitchen sink waste.

I'm a fairly-recently qualified plumber. A friend has asked me to fit a kitchen sink unit for him, and I want to help. However, we didn't cover kitchen sinks on my course.

My question is:
When fitting the waste into the sink, is it best to use silicone/plumber's putty/something else to seal it?

I've found anything works on baths, but wash-hand basins are a pain. I've not fitted a sink yet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

You're all bonkers. And why would I pretend to be a fairly-recently qualified plumber? It's a simple question, so a simple answer would've been more helpful.

I haven't got the instructions yet, but I've noticed the instructions for bath and basin wastes don't mention which sealant to use, so I've assumed these instructions will be similar.

I just wondered which was best rather than trusting to trial and error.

 

You lot are on the wrong forum.
Try this one...
http://forums.chortle.co.uk/

The truth is, I did a two-year City & Guilds course, that the college crammed into one year. As a result they skimped on some details. Hardly my fault.

Despite the course, I can fit a sink waste with no problems, but there's no substitute for experience. I wondered what experience has taught others regarding which sealant is best. I'd be inclined to use silicone, but I know, from my own limited experience, it doesn't always work too well on basins.

Would a sensible answer be out of the question?

 

Does an experienced tradesman know more than a new one?

Of course he does. Everyone learns from experience. You may remember you all had gaps in your knowledge when you first started out. I'm sure I'll learn loads as I go along, but how am I supposed to fill in those gaps without asking questions?

If all you can do is be sarcastic maybe you're only on here to boost your ego. In which case you've got a bigger problem than I have.

No offence intended, giving my point of view as you have given yours.

 

Thanks fuzzy bear. That's what I was going to do (I've got half a tube of clear silicone in the van), but it was worth checking for my peace of mind. It's always worth a little effort to do a good job.

Cheers.


As for the suggestion to go on an apprenticeship to answer one simple question...seems a bit OTT to be honest.

 

I understand your point of view Leaky. I'm not even disagreeing with you. We complained every week for the whole year while we were on the course. We escalated our complaints to the department head on numerous occasions, but they frankly couldn't care less. The plumbing course is so heavily oversubscribed they're in a position where they don't have to try very hard. They got a poor rating for the Ofsted inspection (the worst department in the college) so maybe things will change in the future, but that's too late for me.

As for the question, "what other basic simple stuff don't you know?"...I don't know! I've only had minor problems so far, so I'm doing all right on the whole. I'm just trying to do my best under difficult circumstances.