If you’ve ever dealt with a sink leak, then you are fully aware of how annoying the drip drip drip sound can be, and the amount of damage a sink leak can cause to your bathroom and home. Learning how to stop a sink leak is a very valuable skill as a homeowner. In an emergency, you’ll be able to perform quick sink leak repairs to prevent problems from escalating while you wait for a professional to resolve the underlying issue.

 

We recommend  that you always call a professional to help diagnose the cause of a sink leak and handle your sink leak repair. If you need a temporary fix, however, here are our best suggestions for how to stop a sink leak:

Common Causes for Sink Leaks

Sinks are some of the most frequently used features in your home. When you have a leak in one of your sinks, it can throw off your entire daily routine. 

 

Fixing the leak as quickly as possible is key, not only to restore your peace of mind but to prevent severe water damage as well. To fix a leak, however, you’ll need to establish the cause of the leak and be able to recognize the signs of a leak.

 

Some of the most common causes of a leaky sink include:

 

• Drain leak
• Clogged P-trap pipe
• Faucet leak
• Loose water supply connection
• Worn down washers
• Corroded valves
• Broken O-ring

How to Stop a Sink Leak

Learning how to stop a sink leak entirely depends on what’s causing the leak — a sink leak caused by a worn down washer will require different repairs than a broken O-ring or a clogged P-trap. That’s why it’s so important to identify where the leak is coming from before you attempt a sink leak repair. This is also why it’s important to call a professional after your temporary leak repair to ensure the issue is properly addressed and won’t cause any future damage.  

 

Here are tips for temporarily repairing a sink leak:

Drain Leak

Sink drains are typically sealed with plumber’s putty to keep them water-tight. If you end up with a leak in your drain, it could mean the putty has worn away or dried out and simply needs replacing. In other cases, tightening the nuts where the piping meets the drain can resolve the issue. Worse case scenario, the entire drain will need to be replaced. Attempt the first two DIY repairs and call a professional in to fully resolve the issue.

Clogged P-Trap Pipe

A clogged P-trap will need to be removed, cleaned, and then replaced to stop a sink leak. This is something you can do on your own as a homeowner but requires some skill so it’s a good idea to call in a professional if you’re unsure how to proceed. If the P-trap is broken or corroded, it will need to be replaced with a new one.

Loose Water Supply Connection

Any time you have a loose supply line, a water leak is possible. If your sink leak is constant, it’s most likely due to an issue with the water supply connection. This is an easy leak to miss since the connection is usually hidden under the sink. A bad gasket, loose nuts, or a corroded pipe can all cause a leak from the water supply connection. Replace any bad gaskets, tighten loose nuts, but if the leak continues, call a professional immediately.

Worn Down Washers

Through time and use, washers can get worn down and lead to loose connections in your faucet or sink. Simply replacing them should resolve the issue if they are causing a leak.

Broken O-Ring

O-rings can get worn down or broken much like washers, but thankfully, they are fairly easy to replace. Just make sure you replace an old O-ring with a new one of the same size or the leak will continue.

Faucet Leak

Faucet leaks are usually easy to spot since the faucet is above the sink. Worn down washers or broken O-rings are usually the culprit behind faucet leaks, but in some situations, the faucet itself may need to be replaced. If replacing the washers and O-rings didn’t resolve the sink leak, the faucet itself should probably be replaced. In this case, be sure to consult a professional. 

Corroded Valves

Any time you have corroded pipes or valves, they will need to be replaced. Corrosion is a serious plumbing issue and can quickly lead to severe problems and damages. If you have a sink leak due to corrosion, shut off the water to your sink and schedule a service visit with your plumber.

Call CroppMetcalfe for Professional Sink Leak Repair

If you find you have a leak in one of your sinks, it’s important to get it repaired as quickly as possible. If you’re unsure how to stop a sink leak on your own, stop using the sink or shut off the water supply to prevent damages from occurring. Then be sure to call our 5-Star plumbing team or request service online to handle your sink leak repair.

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