Fixing a pipe under the bathroom sink...?

Question

I do not know a lot about plumbing, so here's the deal.

I live on the island of Sint Maarten in the Caribbean in an apartment. The other day, as I was washing my hands in the sink, I noticed that water was leaking out onto the floor from below.

I noticed that whoever had set up the plumbing had caulked two sections of copper pipes together under the sink - which had now broken off.

I was wondering how best to join these two pipes back together - as I will be having to fix this problem myself (the management of my apartment requires tennants to fix their own plumbing problems... one of the joys of living here).

Answer 1

you will need to solder a joint in.  turn off the water and remove all the caulk.  clean both ends of the pipe sections with steel wool and prime with a solder primer.  stick on your joint and solder around the joining edges with solder and a torch

Answer 2

I am assuming that it's the drain line that is leaking.  If it's the actual water supply line; I hope you're near a beach.

I'm not sure about the hardware stores near there; but the lad who indicated a compression fitting had the correct answer.

The other back-up plan:

Sometimes hardware stores have a 2-part plumbers putty.  Mixing them together causes them to harden.  It will initially have the consistency of clay.  Put the 2 pieces of pipe together and surround it with well mixed 2-part putty.  Let dry.  Quite possibly; you'll be fine.

Answer 3

If it's the pressure side, then soldering the pipes together would be a good idea. If it is the drain, then you would need to use a compression coupling to fit the two pieces together.