Step 5 · Inspect and Reinstall the P-Trap

This is the step people usually slow down on. Go finger-tight first, then a quarter turn. No rush — replay the clip whenever it helps.

Before reinstallation, carefully examine the tapered slip-joint washers that sit between the pipes and the slip nuts. If these washers are cracked, brittle, or flattened, they will not create a reliable seal and should be replaced. Position the clean P-trap back in its original alignment, ensuring the washers are correctly seated with their tapered side facing the pipe end they are sealing against. Slide the slip nuts into position and begin tightening them by hand, ensuring they are not cross-threaded. Hand-tighten both nuts until they are snug.