Plumbing issue has me Stymied

[Oss]

So the bathroom sink was dripping

No story ever ends well with those first words it seems

After watching some youtube videos I went and got washers for the sink which is a pedestal sink.  They didnt work as the seat which is for a faucet no longer made (its 30yrs old and italian) was not correct and I tried all the washers available,

So I went to Home Depot and bought a faucet, however since the width of the 3 holes was not 8" but 7 3/8  (damn italian custom sink) I have to return it as it wont line up.  

So this afternoon I found a Koehler Mistos kit at a local plumbing store. Nice looking sink, Cold line thru one hole, Hot thru another hole  Faucet end thru middle  Looks great. Had to take the sink off the wall (2 bolts protrude thru the tile ) to get the old hardware out and the new hardware on its just too tight. There  are 2 plastic nuts that kept the sink snug against the wall

Hooked up everthing but the supply end and went to hang it on the bolts

But the damn sink has no room under it to allow me to get the nuts onto the bolts as the new plumbing is in the way.  I even tried shortening the plastic bolt to clear but still no room to clear the faucet guts

Is there any way to attach something to a bolt to secure it without having to thread a bolt around it or hacksaw the bolt which I dont want to do as may mess up the thread.??  The sink has a removable pedestal but for safety sake I know it really must be secured to the wall somehow.

I am thinking cotter pin but no idea how to do it   The only other thing might be to jbweld a steel washer to the bolt.

Any help would be appreciated as I hate to spend $$$ on a plumber when this close to the finish line

Here is a pic to show what I am up against



Need it done by wed nite when Bonnie comes home    

[Chrisj CMA]

Cotter pin is close.  But what you need is (I don't know the name) but it's a piece made from spring steel open on one end. Just snap it on the threads and then you can use a screwdriver to turn it so it tightens some

[The emperor has no clothes]

Can you mount the sink first and then install the faucet ?

[Oss]

Meat no

In fact its so tight in there that I had to take the sink off the wall to remove the old hardware as well 

JeffC yes that is pretty much what I was trying to come up with. Think Home Depot or Lowes might have that?  I will be near Lowes tomorrow when I make my weekly run to Mom to work on her house repair list

If someone can send me a pic I would be much obliged

[Jess from VA]

Sounds like you have the same plumbers we do.  They charge enough to nearly get all brand new fixtures.

Sorry no advice on plumbing.   I do know what washers are.  

I have a tub that drips once a minute, for 10 years or so.  I tell myself this is a good thing for avoiding frozen pipes.  That covers the winters anyway.

[Robert]

The way it usually works is you hang the sink then put the faucets in if you loosen the faucets you may be able to wiggle them to the side to gain the access to the bolts you need. I know you said there was no clearance but there has to be some if you hold the sink and put the nuts on while the sink is pulled out a bit from the wall and then once on tighten them and allow the nuts to pull the sink in.

Once thats done there is a faucet wrench that allows tightening from under the sink its a 90 degree wrench. Other than that a pic would be very helpful.

[Bighead]

#1 rule in plumbing is S417 rolls down hill and payday is on friday
Sorry no help...but had to use that old saying

[Chrisj CMA]

Oss, look up e-clip.  They are very strong

[Cracker Jack]

#1 rule in plumbing is S417 rolls down hill and payday is on friday
Sorry no help...but had to use that old saying

NO! Number 1 rule is, "Don't bite your fingernails".

[Oss]

Jeff I think that is a winner
I will look for them at lowes tomorrow and if not there will check plumbing supply houses near my office
With a 2 inch steel washer behind it I will have a snug fit


As you can see from the pic the only way to get the hardware in was to take sink off wall.


I am considering hacksawing the bolt shorter as well

[Chrisj CMA]

E-clip with a large washer or a hack saw to cut off a half inch of that bolt

[Oss]

I will measure the diameter of the bolt but it " looks " like 1/4 inch to me    Would hate to get the wrong size e clip lol

Thanks for the suggestion jeffc  

[ptgb]

If you can slip a 2" fender washer over the top of the bolt, just get a small hose clamp and pull it apart to wrap the hose clamp strap around the bolt. Push the hose clamp tightly against the fender washer and crank it shut, which will wrap it tightly around the bolt. 

[signart]

Before you cut the bolt, thread the nut on it. After you cut it, back off the nut and it will clean up the threads.

[indybobm]

Can you pull the sink away from the wall so that just a few threads are showing. Start the nut and push the sink toward the wall as you tighten the nut(s).

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I would try the last three posts above in this order.

Can you pull the sink away from the wall so that just a few threads are showing. Start the nut and push the sink toward the wall as you tighten the nut(s).

If you can slip a 2" fender washer over the top of the bolt, just get a small hose clamp and pull it apart to wrap the hose clamp strap around the bolt. Push the hose clamp tightly against the fender washer and crank it shut, which will wrap it tightly around the bolt.

Before you cut the bolt, thread the nut on it. After you cut it, back off the nut and it will clean up the threads.

I would add that if you have to cut off the bolt make sure the nut goes back on it pretty smoothly first. If it doesn't, try a new nut. Cut it off with a dremel if you have one to avoid stress on the bolt. (no telling how it is attached in the wall) After cutting it off (with the nut already on the bolt) clean it up a little with a file if the nut doesn't come off and clean up the threads pretty easily. You don't want the bolt coming out of the wall when you spin the nut off.

[DirtyDan]

Pedestal sinks........

Cost more

Dan (plumber, pipefitter)

[Patrick]

It sounds to me as though plumbers putty would have fixed the original problem.

As for the second, I'm thinking removing the sink, double nut the bolts and see if can be screwed in farther. Then as the sink is being reinstalled, install the retaining washers and start the retaining nuts as and as you tighten the nuts the sink will settle into place.

If the bolts can't be screwed in any farther then I'd think you'd have to saw them shorter. Thats not too bad if you install a nut on the bolt before cutting and as you remove the nut it will straighten up and damaged threads from the sawing.

[bassman]

M'be some type of split clamp?   Several here might work or be adaptable?

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Split+Clamps&FORM=IRIBEP


Even make them threaded....

http://www.daytonsuperiorproducts.com/threaded-single-split-collars.html

[Romeo]

#1 rule in plumbing is S417 rolls down hill and payday is on friday
Sorry no help...but had to use that old saying

what he said.

[Valkpilot]

Can you pull the sink away from the wall so that just a few threads are showing. Start the nut and push the sink toward the wall as you tighten the nut(s).

+1

[old2soon]

#1 rule in plumbing is S417 rolls down hill and payday is on friday
Sorry no help...but had to use that old saying

NO! Number 1 rule is, "Don't bite your fingernails".

                NO-numero uno be-don't pick yer nose!  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Any success yet Attorney ?

[Oss]

This morning I found e clips washers and grommets at my local hardware store, forgot to get hose washer in 3/8 size. Also I did have an chance to back out the plastic nut that was hung up on one of the two bolts so now the sink is off the wall and the bolts are now exposed for the final push tomorrow night

Either on the way to the star wars movie (640pm time)or tomorrow afternoon I'm picking up a dremel tool to cut the bolts down, always wanted to own one so now is my chance. A hacksaw is not the right tool as the bolts have play on them

Plan is after the bolts are cut down l put the smaller grommet between the sink and the wall to stabilize it, then on the sink side a grommet, steel washer and e clip.  A bit of plumbers putty behind the top of the sink about an inch down so it sets nice.

If I can find a small enough hose clamp tomorrow I will get one but there were none at lowes today when I looked.  All work will be tomorrow night.  Im enjoying this its different.

[Jess from VA]

When buying the Dremel, be sure to get the long flexible cord power head.

The thing is great for all kinds of small and hard to reach jobs, jobs the tool itself cannot fit into.





And another thing;  some of the work you may attempt can be delicate, and delicate work is accomplished with the small corded power head and not the big thing.  Imagine a dentist in your mouth with the dremel tool itself. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

When buying the Dremel, be sure to get the long flexible cord power head.

The thing is great for all kinds of small and hard to reach jobs, jobs the tool itself cannot fit into.

+1, it's so much better than the regular dremel. 

[Rams]

If you dont know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison

It would appear, George was right.   

Rams 

[Oss]

How often the journey is the fun part, the destination is just the direction we aim to go

Oss

as long as its finished before SWMBO comes home

[The emperor has no clothes]

How often the journey is the fun part, the destination is just the direction we aim to go

Oss

as long as its finished before SWMBO comes home

yeah, don't be counting no chickens. I've been thrown many a wrench doing plumbing issues.

[Hooter]

Plumming is a PIA...especially in an older home. If you don't make at least 3 trips to the hardware store when doing some type of plumming there is something wrong. Usually end up with a Pandora''s Box!

[Jess from VA]

Plumming is a PIA...especially in an older home. If you don't make at least 3 trips to the hardware store when doing some type of plumbing there is something wrong. Usually end up with a Pandora''s Box!

No kidding.  Putting a wrench on anything in my house that hasn't been touched (or only snugged) in 50 years, is risking stuff breaking or falling apart, and suddenly going way beyond my skill level. 

It's like trying to find land mines by stomping your feet through the field.

And turning off the main supply is highly recommended for any experimenting you might do.

50-60 years ago, they put damn few inside shutoffs just below the outlets.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Plumming is a PIA...especially in an older home. If you don't make at least 3 trips to the hardware store when doing some type of plumbing there is something wrong. Usually end up with a Pandora''s Box!

No kidding.  Putting a wrench on anything in my house that hasn't been touched (or only snugged) in 50 years, is risking stuff breaking or falling apart, and suddenly going way beyond my skill level. 

It's like trying to find land mines by stomping your feet through the field.

And turning off the main supply is highly recommended for any experimenting you might do.

50-60 years ago, they put damn few inside shutoffs just below the outlets.   

Our water here in the desert is so bad that every shutoff gets corroded to the point of being useless in just a few years. I gave up on replacing them. Just go out and shut off the main now.

[oldsmokey]

Might be a little late but...Trimming the studs and keeping threads clean, then I might try a thin jam nut with a thin washer?

[Oss]

It is together, like frankensteins monster  sort of

it works and looks good

Bought a new pair of safety glasses, a dremel and a pack of cutting blades,  It took 3 to cut the 2 bolts (learning curve)  You apparently need a VERY light touch when cutting.

The holes in back of the sink are so big they swallowed the grommets entirely.  I never tried to re-thread the plastic bolts, maybe I should have but too late now. Anyways the steel washer was too wide to fit so in the tool box they go, the washer would not pass over the bolt that is how tight it was in there.  (reminds me of the old saying so tight you couldn't get a pin in there with a jackhammer) So I ended up using the 1" rubber grommet and backing the screw clamp over that. Behind it on one side I used the e clip.   Then I used ceramic tile caulk to seal the tiny space behind the top of the sink.   It should dry and hold in a few days.

The pedestal is what really holds the sink in place and I have no plans to move it any time soon

No leaks and looks great like the pic I posted a few days ago

Thanks for the ideas everyone. If I ever say I want to buy a pedestal sink in the future remind me what a PIA this was please !!