I know that water is accumulating under your kitchen sink, and so you have searched for this article of mine.
Dealing with a leak under the kitchen sink when water is turned on can be a frustrating experience.
Not only does it waste water, but it can also damage your kitchen cabinets and flooring if not controlled.
Then you must be thinking about how to stop the leak under the kitchen sink.
This instructional post will guide you through the steps to identify and fix a leak under your kitchen sink when the water is turned on.
This is to ensure your plumbing remains in top condition.
Tools And Material You Will Need For Identified and Fixed Leak Under Kitchen Sink
First of all, I am giving you information about what tools and materials you need to complete this mission.
| Tools & Materials | Uses | Purchase Here |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | For screw and unscrew any connection | See on Amazon |
| Plumber’s tape or putty | For tight Fitting | See on Amazon |
| Bucket | Use a bucket under the kitchen sink to catch water | See on Amazon |
| Pipe cutter (if necessary) | For cutting broken pipes | See on Amazon |
| Flashlight | To get light in the dark area under the sink | See on Amazon |
| Gloves | for safety | See on Amazon |
Leak Under Kitchen Sink When Water is Turned On – How to Locate & Fix It
You may be wondering why is my kitchen sink leaking underneath, then we are talking about its solution here.
First of all, before you fix this problem, you take some steps
- Step 1: Turn off the water supply
- Step 2: Clean and dry the wet area under the kitchen sink
- Step 3: Place a bucket under the kitchen sink to catch water spills
Here, I examine 10 Possible Causes and solutions for a Leak Under the Kitchen Sink When the Water is Turned On.
By checking which one by one, you can stop your leaking under kitchen sink.
1. Cracked or Torn Faucet Washers
First of all, turn off the water, shut off the valves, and turn on the faucet to relieve pressure.
After that, remove the faucet handle to remove the faucet body with an adjustable wrench and see the faucet washer.
Then, Inspect the washers inside the faucet for cracks or torn.
If they are, replace the cracked rubber washers with new matching-size washers.
2. Loose Supply Line Connections
Check all the connections of the faucet and drainage line in the kitchen sink. A loose connection that lets water out.
Your kitchen sink’s plumbing system consists of various pipes, connectors, and joints.
If any of these have become loose over time, they could start leaking when the water is turned on and pressure is applied to the system.
So, make sure that no connection is loose, and if it is loose, then tighten all the connections once with an adjustable wrench.
3. Damaged Supply Lines/Hoses
Even after doing all this, if there is water leakage, inspect the supply line hoses under the kitchen sink for cracks, bulges, or severe kinks.
If supply lines or hoses are damaged, cut out the section with a pipe cutter, attach the new part, and fit the plumbing tape.
Apart from this, if the hose line is completely damaged, then it is necessary to repair it.
4. Faulty Shut-off Valves
If the water supply line shut-off valve under the sink is damaged or leaky, there is a possibility of water leakage from it, too.
If so, replace the old faulty shut-off valve under the sink with a new 1/4-turn ball valve with an adjustable wrench.
After that, make sure outlets have a tight seal when new ball valves are fully closed.
Eastman Multi-Turn Dual Outlet 3-Way Shut-Off Valve
Made from one piece of a solid brass body
5. Loose or Broken P-trap Fittings
In the drainage line, the P trap fitting is loose or broken, it causing water leakage.
If you notice a leak coming from the P-trap when you turn on the faucet, the first step is to shut off the hot and cold supply lines under the sink.
After that, you can loosen the connections.
Try tightening the slip nuts that connect the curved section of the P-trap to the tailpiece and drain using pliers or a wrench. This might stop the flow of water.
However, if the P-trap is cracked or broken, you will need to disconnect it completely, along with the sink drain basket.
Replace the faulty P-trap with an identical new one, and make sure to secure it to the sink basket tailpiece and the horizontal pipe that leads to the main drain.
Once you have done that, check if the water flows smoothly.
Finally, turn on the faucet again and check below for any signs of continued leakage.
6. Faulty Sink Strainer
Water leakage under the kitchen sink is also often caused by faulty or broken sink strainers.
To repair or replace such faulty strainer, proceed as follows.
- First, Turn off the water supply.
- Then, use pliers to securely tighten the slip nut on the sink strainer basket’s tailpiece.
- If the strainer gasket is crack atom to resale it using a plumber putty.
- if it still leaks, remove the entire assembly with pliers.
7. Rust Holes in Pipes
To begin, turn off the water supply valves and drain the lines to find any leaks.
Carefully sand any areas of rust on visible metal pipes and use a corrosion-resistant patching compound to cover any holes.
For bigger damaged sections, remove the faulty pipe and replace it with new chrome-plated copper tubing, securing it with compression fittings on both ends.
Before turning the water back on, make sure to seal the fittings with Teflon tape.
If leaks persist, it may be necessary to replace the entire pipe.
8. Loose Drain Tailpiece Connection
A leaky drain tailpiece can be messy, but fixing it often takes just a few steps:
Locate the leak:
Under your sink, find the connection between the drainpipe and the tailpiece (the short pipe coming from the sink drain).
Tighten the slip nut:
Use a wrench or pliers to tighten the nut connecting the tailpiece to the drainpipe gently. Don’t overtighten to avoid cracking the plastic.
Turn on the water and check for leaks:
If the leak persists, replace the rubber gasket inside the slip nut for a better seal. You can find replacements at most hardware stores.
If tightening or replacing the gasket doesn’t solve the problem, consider calling a plumber for further assistance.
9. Clogged Sink Drain
Sometimes, a clogged kitchen sink can cause water leakage under the sink.
Start by first turning off the water supply and removing the P-trap under the clogged sink to check for a blockage.
Try snaking the drain from top to bottom through the sink opening.
If that fails, use a plumber’s wrench to disconnect the drain pipes under the sink.
Manually remove built-up gunk and debris that is causing the blockage.
Now, reassemble the pipes using a pipe joint compound to seal the threads before testing the water flow.
Then, turn on the faucet and make sure that the previously loose joints no longer leak under pressure with easy drainage.
10. Misaligned or Broken Garbage Disposal
To start, make sure to check if the disposal has shifted out of alignment with the sink drain output.
Give it a try to realign the disposal drain line for a proper connection.
If leaks persist, disconnect the drain pipe and mounting assembly to inspect the disposal unit.
Look closely for any cracks in the mounting rings, fittings, or the grinding chamber body that could be the source of the leaks.
If you find any small leaks, replace the damaged seals or gaskets.
If not, it’s best to replace the entire disposal unit and secure it with a leak-proof mounting for a long-term fix.
Faqs
Where are the Specific Locations I Should Check Under My Sink?
You should check under your sink for leaking problems, such as supply hoses, shut-off valves, faucet fitting, P-trap, drain tailpiece, and disposal connections.
When Should I Call a Plumber?
If you are not comfortable fixing the leak yourself, or if the leak is coming from a complex part of the plumbing system, then it is best to call a plumber.
How Can I Prevent Leaks from Happening in the future?
There are 3 things you can consider to prevent leaks from happening in the future.
- Regular cleaning of your sink strainer.
- Tighten the connections on your P-trap and drain tailpiece every month.
- Run hot water through your disposal once a week to keep it clean and prevent clogs.
What are Signs the Leak Requires Major Pipe Work?
There are several signs of leakage that we look for in large pipework, such as leaking from inside walls, corroded or ruptured pipes, and persistently damp areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, following these steps, you should resolve the leak under your kitchen sink.
You should remember that plumbing can be complex and sometimes requires expertise, so you do not hesitate to contact a plumber if the leak is part of a large issue.
If you have any experience or have any tips for solving leakage under the kitchen sink, share them in the comments below.
For more DIY kitchen sink, bathroom sink repair, or maintenance tips, here is our blog.
In which we regularly write about kitchen and bathroom sinks that you should check regularly.
