Home DIY

Is the longer fix just a case of removing, cleaning, adding some ptfe tape or should I be replacing the white bits?

Can’t say for the plumbing specifics but I’d definitely say that that longer fix involves finding out the extent of the water damage. If it’s been dripping slightly and the patch staying damp for a long time it might’ve done some fairly heinous damage to structural wood. Our downstairs neighbour had basically the exact same issue and will need to rip out their entire bathroom floor when they can get the cash together.

Sorry, fairly intense prediction for a Sunday morning.

Think this is a bit of a mess because it looks like the waste pipe was too high - or bath too low, necessitating that curious looking bit of pipe and the slightly shonky angles.

I would try to take it off and clean it all up and attempt a better seal as best I could but be warned it might be glued in somewhere so getting it off might not be straightforward.

There's a seal on mcalpine stuff that we basically tighten by hand and give a nip. You shouldn't need to PTFE it or anything like that.

You could just replace it with a new shallow trap like that, but stripping it to see the cause is the first thing but it also looks like its running up hill from the photo too but that shouldn't cause the leak more running away.

PTFE wont do anything for that kind of joint. You will have to unscrew both of those connections and look at the rubber compression rings inside (use an old towel to catch any drips, and the bottom of the U will be full of water). If they have broken you can buy the whole trap part, which will include both of the compression rings, for a few quid from Screwfix. It doesn't need anything, just make sure the black pipe is pushed in all the way, and that rubber O rings are compressed adequately at both joints to seal the joint.