Why is my Kitchen sink leaking?

Why is your kitchen sink leaking in Low Country?

It’s hard to function without a kitchen sink. Being the most used area in the house, you use it to get a cup of water, fill a coffee pot, wash dishes and so much more. When you have a leaky sink, try to isolate the source. While you may be able to fix some of these leaks yourself, they could be short lived or done improperly, so it’s always best to call in a professional.

Here are some common causes of kitchen sink leaks.

Faucet leaks:

Puddling water on top of the sink is an easy indication of a faucet leak. Sometimes these leaks run under the sink and you will not see it unless you look under the sink. Faucet leaks are usually caused by worn out washers and gaskets. They can be replaced fairly easily, but occasionally, the whole faucet needs to be replaced.

Clogged P-Trap

The curved section of the pipe under the sink is called the P-trap and its function is to prevent foul odors from going into the drains. The P-trap is not always easily accessible making it hard to identify a P-trap leak. Over a period of time, small pieces of debris such as food gather at the P-trap blocking the proper draining of the water causing a leak.

Drain Leak

The drain is commonly sealed with plumber’s putty and over time can dry out and crack. If the putty was applied too thin to begin with, then it doesn’t take long for this to happen. You can plug your sink and fill it with water, then unplug it and look underneath the sink to try and identify it. Occasionally, the nuts might just be loose and can be tightened. You may be able to remove the nuts and replace the putty as well.

Damaged O-ring

Faucet handles are held in place by screws. The small disc attached to it is known as an O-ring. O-rings wear out or become loose over time causing the faucet to leak at the handle from regular use. The O-ring replacement is simple and should fix the problem. They are most common in faucets containing cartridges.

Loose connection from water supply

If the under the sink leak is constant, the leak may be coming from your water supply line. There are two water supply lines, and if you have a separate sprayer, a third line. These connections are usually out of sight and hard to locate. The reason for leaking could be due to a failed gasket (quite common) or corrosion. Replacing the gaskets or sometimes retightening the connecter will stop the leak.

Worn-out washers

The most common leaking problem is due to worn out washers. Every time you turn on your faucet, the washer is pressed against the valve seat creating friction, causing them to wear out. A clear sign you have worn out washers is to notice leaks around the spout. Simply replace the washers.

Valve seat corrosion

Between the spout and faucet is a connection called a valve seat which serves as a compression mechanism. Water sitting in this connection can cause it to corrode. Call a professional regularly to check the valve seat.

These are the most common reasons for sink leaks. If you experience a leak and can’t fix it yourself, call a professional to correct the problem. It could keep you from experiencing a bigger problem, including water damage and mold.