Updated December 11, 2022
Having a leaky sink is a common problem for RVs and campers of all ages and circumstances. Sometimes a leak can just develop naturally over time, or sometimes a collision with a curb or a trip over railroad lines will bend the camper sufficiently to cause a crack or cause the seal to come loose. Find a way to re-seal the sink as soon as you can in order to stop future water damage and make use of the kitchen or bathroom sink in your RV.
You can do this quickly on your own in a few different methods, however the precise technique may vary depending on the sealant you choose to use. Some sealants will be packaged in squeezable tubes or caulk-like tubes. However, there is a more manual process for applying the sealant if you decide to use a sort of putty (such as plumbers putty).
Since most plumber’s putty is packaged in cans, you will need to take a little amount and wrap it into a long rope with a diameter of about 3/8″. Put the putty in place after the “rope” is long enough to fit around the sink or other location that has to be sealed.
The fittings must then be tightened, and you must ensure that the putty is effectively closing off the leaky region. Then clean out your sink of any leftover putty. One of the greatest approaches is to force the putty into small and awkward spots with your fingers. To help slide the putty into the appropriate spot, some people will use other tools (such as a plastic butter knife). You should be aware of the proper areas to seal your sink in addition to knowing how to apply sealant. A galley sink, commonly referred to as the kitchen sink, is seen as having one wall. I
A double-walled sink, on the other hand, is usually used in bathrooms. An overflow prevention path to the drain pipe will be present in a double-wall sink. Because there are several ways for water to get to the drain pipe in these double-walled sinks, they will need to be sealed on both the top and bottom. The inside (or top side) of a galley-style sink should be covered with the putty or sealer you decide to use. It must be positioned between the surface of the sink drain hole and the lip of the drain/stopper tube.
Water will seep past the threads of the tube and the big tightening nut if you try to stop all your leaks by applying putty simply to the bottom. No matter how tightly you tighten the nut’s connection to the sink’s bottom, your leak problem will be solved if you only put sealant to one side. The best and most sensible solution is to use putty on both the top and bottom of the sink.
You must be careful not to leave any gaps between your nuts and bolts and the putty, though, because an RV will flex in different temperatures and situations. Even the slightest cracks can cause leaks to appear nearly immediately. This is why speaking with a plumber could be beneficial. They can advise you on how to seal the sink based on their expertise or the particulars of your RV camper.