Plumbing advise needed

[MsLucifer]

i just moved and re-renovated the whole place, less than 2 months and now the kitchen sink and plumbing is giving me problems, but i'm not sure where the issue is... would be great if anyone can advise.

1st the water is getting jam in the sink, its just flowing very slowly, but all the pipes are new and seldom cook at home, next the underneath the sink starts to "sweat" not sure where the water or condensation is coming from.

the sink is mounted beneath the granite counter top, i'll check the seal, new and intact, so im just not sure where the water comes from...

[triton]

just check with my contractor, the sweat can be due to pouring of cold water into the sink. alternatively, the sweat can be due to thickness of material use for sink. if there is water on its side, it could be that the seal is not properly done.

best is get plumber to see and see what the plumber say.

can also consider getting another plumber to view it and see what another plumber says. if you need help on another plumber, can always let me know.

[Alexlow]

Very likely the bottle trap below the sink is choke, affecting the flow. Try unscrew the bottle trap to see if there is anything inside. If nothing, it means that somewhere In the passage between the bottle trap down pipe to the main gully is choke.
First settle the choke issue, then see if the sink is stil sweating? As i can see, the sink is a acrylic/poly material sink (in layman term aka granite sink)If still sweating that means that the sink is not good, many made in china sink have poor quality.(you won't have that problem if it's a stainless steel sink.
In order to change a new sink, If the sink is mounted beneath the counter top(aka undermount sink) you have more trouble, u need to disconnect both in/outlet pipe, dismantle the counter top, put in a new sink, install the top and the pipes again.

[Alexlow]

In order to see if the sweating issue is cause by the integrity of the sink itself, do a water test. First plug the sink, then fill up with water to full. After couple of hours, access if the sweating is getting worst and where most of the water is coming from. If water droplets form all over beneath the base of sink, that means that the sink is slightly porous, which it shouldn't be. Whoever supply the sink, it's time to bang his/her table.

[seiko.citizen]

im not sure what type of sink the OP is using, but there is more to a seal than just silicon. i remember on my stainless steel sink, there was a foam tape that goes around the edges, this means that when mounted on the benchtop it created a "vacuum" seal.

as for sweating, i havent seen before, and that is including when i defrost chicken (fill up my small sink with water and dunk the chicken inside).

if flow of water is slow, you will need a plumber's snake. please do not waste your money on liquids/solutions to unclog the drain.

[Jimmee]

for the sweating, likely your sink is one that is not insulated, hence sweating will be a common occurance unless you change to one that have a layer of insulation.

for the slow flow, somewhere is definitely choke.....if you have just move in, my take is that you get the contractor that do up your house to come back. Once you get someone else to come in, you are indirectly releasing the original contractor from his liability.

Cheers and hope the above help.

[triton]

wah. did not know our forum got sink expert also. learnt something new again...thanks.

[triton]

anyone can explain how the side of sink seems to be 'wet' is it leak? if yes, where is likely cause

[MsLucifer]

From what i observe, the sweating is on the sides and on the base of the sink, making that quite uniform.. It is a stainless sink, i have been told the grey coat below the sink is actually the insulation.. contractor ask me to air the sink, as in leave cabinet door open and see. Guess i just have to settle the choke and find out what is causing the sink to sweat, hopefully i dun have to remove it... since that will involve removing the kitchen top.

thanks for all the advise guys!

[MsLucifer]

In order to change a new sink, If the sink is mounted beneath the counter top(aka undermount sink) you have more trouble, u need to disconnect both in/outlet pipe, dismantle the counter top, put in a new sink, install the top and the pipes again.

Hi Alex, does that mean i have to change a new kitchen top? or they will dismantle the existing and put it back? mine is granite so it will cost if i have to change it
even if the supplier replace my sink for free

[Alexlow]

You can use back the granite top, just be careful not to break it when dismantling especially at the front and back of the sink where it's the most vurnerable. Just 2 months since your renovation, I thInk you sld get your contractor to come back, let him solve it for u. There is still a cost for dismantling and reinstallation of the top.

Hi Alex, does that mean i have to change a new kitchen top? or they will dismantle the existing and put it back? mine is granite so it will cost if i have to change it
even if the supplier replace my sink for free

[Alexlow]

It is a stainless sink

If it's a stainless sink, the only place that will cause leak to the side wall of the sink is thru the silicon gap between the granite top and the sink. Which is uncommon for a 2months reno as the silicon is still new, this usually happens after many years of wear and tear.

[MsLucifer]

But if leak nit likely to be so uniform? As it the surfaces are in patches being wet.. Oh well I guess I have to solve the choke 1st.

[Alexlow]

I have no answer to that bro. Technically speaking water will not condense below sink unless 1) u have ice cold water in the sink or 2) hot water vapor below the sink. Water will not appear from nowhere, it has to come from somewhere so my guess is leakage from the top.

But if leak nit likely to be so uniform? As it the surfaces are in patches being wet.. Oh well I guess I have to solve the choke 1st.

[MsLucifer]

Thank all for advise, appreciate the help n info given.