Leaking sinks can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with. But don’t worry! This article will teach you how to fix a leaking kitchen sink by using common household items that are easy to find and inexpensive.
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Top 3 Reasons Why Your Kitchen Sink Might Be Leaking in the cabinet
Clogged drain
There are many reasons why a leaking sink may be a problem. To start with, it may be due to a clogged drain. Another issue may be the plumbing under the sink getting broken and leaking into the kitchen sink. Lastly, there is also the possibility that your kitchen sink might just be old and needs to be replaced. Let’s go over each of these so we can discuss how they can be fixed.
One of the top reasons why your kitchen sink might leak is because you have a clogged drain. Luckily, this problem can easily be fixed by using an inexpensive tool called a plunger. The tool looks like an elongated oval shape, with two suction cups on each side of it.
Simply insert the suction cups in each end of the drain and force them down until they meet inside of the pipe creating a seal around your drain that prevents any more water from entering your sink or seeping out from underneath it! It is possible that a plunger won’t do and that you have more work to do. Most clogs are quite easy to remove. We have discussed how to unclog a kitchen sink HERE.
Fixing the Kitchen sink Drain strainer
The next most common reason for leaks in your kitchen sink is because plumbing under the sink gets broken and leaks into it. There is a putty under your drain that keeps water out. After a few years, this putty can start to break. Luckily, it is easy and cheap to replace this putty.
We have discussed how this can be done HERE. You also want to check the silicone around the sink. It is possible that this needs to be replaced as water can seep between the sink and the cabinet. Sometimes tightening the connectors on the drain already fixes the problem.
Broken sink
The final cause is that the sink is getting old and cracked. Maybe something got dropped into it that causes the sink to leak water. Replacing a sink is often quite straightforward as you just need to connect the drain and water supply.
Water supply lines are often flexible to easy to add and remove. The drain is often using a ring that you can tighten so it is quite straightforward to install as well. Just make sure that you have a p-trap that keeps sewer gasses out and you should be good to go.
It is also possible that there is a small leak in the water supply. If it is a big leak, you will notice it fast as water is under a lot of pressure and it will gush out of the pipe. You have to close the water supply as soon as possible when this happens.
5 Steps to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Sink Cabinet
Step 1: Find the Leak: how to
The first step is to find the leak. There are many places that a sink can leak from. You might have to look around for a while if it is a small leak. Using your hands can help you to find wet spots and find the leak.
Sometimes a leak can be caused by a small hole in the sink or in the pipe or by a loose washer. This is why it’s important to test for the cause of your leak before you fix it. To do this, fill up your sink with water and wait until the water leaks out into the cabinet below. If there is no water coming out from what appears to be an area of low pressure, then you know that’s not where your leak is coming from!
Step 2: Get the right tools
Once you have detected the source of the leak, you will need to get the required supplies. You’ll need a basin wrench, pliers, and a bucket to catch water. You may also want to have some towels nearby in case you spill any of the water. Sometimes you will need plumbers putty, a new sink, a new drain, or a supply line.
Step 3: Fix the leak
Once you have found the source of the leak and have the right tools, it is time to fix it. You can wear gloves and protective goggles for this. Sinks are often quite easy to fix. Just don’t overtight the connections. You might have to unplug the garbage disposal. Always keep a bucket and old towels nearby as water can leak from the drains.
Step 4: Test the repair and clean up
You can fill the sink with water and see if it still leaks or not. It is possible that there are multiple leaks or multiple problems at the same time. Hopefully, you have fixed the issues by now.
The first thing you’ll need to do is clean up any remaining water that may be on the floor after you’ve removed the sink. This will help avoid mold and mildew from forming or spreading. After the water has been cleaned up, use a sponge to wipe down the inside of your sink with clean, soapy water.
Step 5: How to avoid kitchen sink leaks
One of the most important things you can do to avoid kitchen sink leaks is to take good care of your sink. This includes not flushing cooking oil or bits of food. You can also regularly inspect your sink to make sure that there are no leaks.
Sinks can last a long time so it is better to invest in a decent one. Make sure that your sink is hanging level as a lot of people have a crooked sink and this can lead to problems as well.
To conclude, we can state that there are several reasons why your kitchen sink is leaking. In this post, we have discussed the main causes. We have also outlined how you can find the source of the problem and how to fix it. Sinks can often be fixed with simple tools. If you have a bigger problem, you can always give a plumber a call.
Getting a great kitchen sink strainer is important as well if you want to avoid kitchen sink leaks.
