If you replaced the vanity and the moen faucet, there should be 3 holes to place the new faucet. How can there be a space you need to caulk in your vanity/counter? They are factory made to fit.

Of course you can slather it with silicone, but everything is new and there should be no space for water to drip through. Faucets now require no plumbers putty or anything else like silicone.

What am I missing?

If you are talking about the p trap assembly leaking, you may have missed putting in one of those Teflon rings. Put each one in the right direction, and tighten them until they don't leak.

Let me start over. The sink has a drain hole. Into that hole one places a plastic tube where the plug goes. Parts list calls this piece the 'waste seat'. I was instructed to put silicone around the metal ring at the top of this seat, which I did so I now have silicone. Now just underneath the metal ring are 3 holes that I can feel are not flush up against the drain hole of the sink. These holes are bigger around than my finger. Just running water is not a problem as it goes straight down the center. But if I were to put water in the sink, then pull the plug, some water is going to go down behind the seat and there is no way for that water to get out. So I've been looking for some sort of tubing to put in there to keep water from entering those holes. That's when I discovered the turkey baster idea.

Thank you for your time with this. I really do appreciate it. This DIY project has been a real adventure for this old lady, I can assure you.

You see the drain. If you stick your finger in there about 1/2" down you will feel the holes. Here is a pic of the instructions...



Part F there shows the holes. I don't want water going down behind them. That's why I was wondering if siliconing another plastic tube over them would be doable, i.e. wouldn't hurt anything. What do you think?

Last edited Sun Aug 7, 2016, 05:09 PM - Edit history (1)

If you plug the sink and fill it - then forget and walk away - the water travels through the vanity top port and drains - bypassing the main drain. This prevents a flood.

I really like the faucet you picked out. Personally I don't like curvy brass types of things. I like angles.

The big hole should be for the drain plug assembly, which I notice you don't have, and the two smaller holes, I have no idea, or at least I've forgotten. If you go to a plumbing supply store, they will tell you right away. Sometimes when doing plumbing, I've hit the hardware store or plumbing store many times in a day to finish up a project. In fact it is the norm especially in old homes.

If you don't want the drain plug installed, and I can't tell you about the two smaller holes, you can silicone them. What would concern me is as you squeeze the silicone through, there is nothing to stop the flow of it as it will then be inside the drain, solidify, and become and obstruction for hair and stuff.

My advice has reached it's limit. Professionals can tell you what you need.

Edit: I just looked at moen vanity drain assemblies. The big hole looks nothing like it, so I really have no idea about the 3 holes...sorry.

1 trip = I'm ecstatic.

2 = I'm happy

3 = ok

4 = cranky asshole

5 = nuclear. And expensive cause I just buy everything on the fucking aisle and hope for a match.

I do remodeling. I'm not a plumber but I will do hookups of new fixtures I install. I'll even build new showers from scratch.

Where it gets really tricky is working with old work. I'm getting better with it but it still gets tricky sometimes.

I recently agreed to reinstall some radiators we pulled out for a new floor in a kitchen and bath I did. Why not I figured. Save the customer some time and money. It was a 6 plus. I stil have a bunch of fittings I never returned. And a $25 dollar "spud wrench" I had to buy. Maybe I'll get the hernia fixed some day. Lol.

This was a 3 trip project. Mon, Tues and Wed. By Wed I was still in ok mode but knew I would not be thrilled to have to go back again. Plus, I have to walk. Sure, it's only 5 blocks but that starts to add up.

Radiators, ouch! I'm doing a bit of a remodel on this old place and there has been some minor bloodletting. I enjoy it, though. Thanks for your time.

I really like it, too. What I don't like is those round faucet handles with the plastic doodad in the middle. I've had those at several places and they come out, or break, or get all gunked up. I don't know why anyone would still buy a faucet like that. I'm happy with mine and I think everything will be just fine. Thanks for your time.

even working with plumbers...learning more things.

If I have this straight, when you fill the sink with water, there are 3 holes at the drain allowing water to flow through, and if that is the case, the drain is improperly installed.

Uninstall it...the longer you wait the stronger the silicone will set up. If the holes are felt on the bottom of the basin rather than inside, you might not have to move the drain. And back off the nut on the bottom, dry fit it and make sure there are no obstructions. And then tighten it.

You call yourself an old lady, and it might be a strength with tightening thing, and it's not easy besides that. Get it snug, put water in the basin and tighten until water no longer leaks through..once it stops, give it a bit more tightening.

I hope it works.

Whoever said, "Hey, it's not rocket science," has obviously never plumbed before.

As said above, the three holes are for the overflow. The sink has passages to use them. The seal is taken car of at the very bottom of the sink where the big 'nuts' are tightened, there should have been gaskets (that's H, I, and J in the instructions). As long as "J" is tight, you won't have a leak. Don't worry.

Hope this helps.