It's so irritating to see a sink leaking in the kitchen or bathroom. It's rather a nightmare to witness a pool of water on the kitchen and bathroom floor due to a leaking sink. Whether it's the bathroom sink or kitchen, one of the reasons is its high traffic, apart from many other reasons. When noticing a leaky sink, the first question that arises in the mind is what could be the reason and how to fix the problem. If you attend to the problem early, it will remain a small and straightforward issue, but it may turn out to be a major plumbing work damaging the property if ignored. In this article, we will guide you through the reasons for sink leaking and ways to fix it.
Reasons for a Leaky Sink in the Kitchen and the Ways to Fix It
First, check the source of leakage and find the right solution. In the article, we discuss different solutions for different problems.
Drain Leakage
If you notice water leaking when the sink is draining, it's a drain leakage problem in the kitchen. Now, you need to identify the exact reason for the leakage, which could be blockage, faulty corrosion, a crack at the joint, or a loose connection. All you have to do is tighten the loose nuts and fix the loose connection. To fix the crack, remove the drain, apply the plumber's putty, and reattach the drain.
Problem in the Water Supply Line
A fault in the water supply line is one of the most common causes of sink leakage. There are two water supply connections from where water leakage comes. Check the issue and fix it to avoid water wastage.
Leaking Faucet
It is one of the easy-to-identify reasons because when you turn on the tap, water starts leaking from the top of the sink. Many times, water leaks from under the sink, too, so keep an eye on it. The reasons could be faulty gaskets, washers or flaws in faucets that require replacement. You can DIY or seek help from a plumber if you are not sure how to do it yourself.
Worn Out O-ring
The O-ring is a disc attached to the stem screw to hold the faucet handle in place. Over the period, it gets worn out or loosened, resulting in leaky faucets around the handle. You need to replace it with the help of a plumber to ensure the issue is in the O-ring and not something else.
High Water Pressure
If water pressure is high inside the pipe, it leads to leakage problems. A high water pressure hitting inside the pipe can burst the pipe, so get it checked by an expert and set it at an appropriate speed to avoid any mishaps.
Leak in the Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal system is fixed for the convenience of homeowners, who can dispose of food waste without fear of getting the home's pipe blocked. But, if you misuse the system, it may result in a clogged garbage disposal system. It may leak from the top, bottom, or side of the disposal system. If it leaks from the top, the reason could be a loose sink flange seal; if it leaks from the side, the reason could be a faulty drain connection or worn-out gasket; and if it leaks from the bottom, the reason could be a broken internal seal.
Blocked P-Trap
A p-trap is fixed under the sink to prevent foul smells from seeping through the drain, but at times, it traps food particles and gunk, which can cause a leak when the p-trap gets clogged with debris.
Corroded P-Trap
Another reason for leakage could be corrosion of the P-trap, which usually happens when the sink is made of metal. You may have to replace the P-trap and seek help from an expert, but if you are confident in DIY, go ahead.
Valve Seat Corrosion
The valve seat connects between the spout and the faucet and begins to corrode over the period when water accumulates around the valve seat, resulting in leakage around the spout area. Clean the valve seat regularly to avoid corrosion.
Leakage Around the Sink Due to a Crack in the Sealant
Leakage around the sink due to the breaking down of caulk around the sink or crack in the seal can be handled with minimal effort and investment. All you should do is caulk the kitchen sink with silicone caulk or silicone sealant, which is available in various colors and also in white and clear options. Though silicone caulk and sealant are both used, the best option is to use silicone caulk.
Reasons for a Leaky Sink in the Bathroom and Ways to Fix It
The kitchen and bathroom sinks have different components, so the reason for the sink leaking and the ways to fix them are also different. Diagnosing the problem is half the battle won because if you figure out the exact reason, you can take the action accurately. There are several reasons for a leaky sink in the bathroom, as discussed below:
Loose Pipe Connection
Tighten the pipe connection using a pair of pliers. If water still leaks, remove the hose and see if the gasket is worn out. Replace the gasket if it's worn out.
Leaky Drainpipe
If the source of the leak is the drain assembly, it's difficult to DIY. You should hire a professional for hassle-free work. However, if you want to try, first remove the P-trap followed by the drain, then cover the drain's thread with plumber tape and replace the P-trap and drain.
Leakage From Shut-off Valves
Shut-off valves are screwed with a compression fitting, or it is soldered to supply hot and cold water in the sink. These screws or issues in the solder can't be fixed on your own; you should seek the help of an expert plumber.
Leaky Sink Flange
Seek the help of a plumber for a leaky sink flange. The plumber needs to remove the sink drain and check it. If the flange is damaged, replace it; otherwise, clean the drain and reconnect the sink drain in its original position.
Issue With P-Trap
The curved-shaped pipe (P-trap) beneath the drain is connected with a slip nut to the sink pipe. Check if the slip nut is loose and tighten it using hand tools. If the slip nut is still loose, use a pipe wrench to tighten the nut.
Worn Out Faucets
It is easy to identify the leaking faucet pools at the base of the faucet and difficult to identify when water from the faucet drips under the sink. There could be two possible reasons for faucet leakage: faulty gasket or washer. Both can be replaced easily.
Conclusion
Sink leaking is a common and irritating problem that calls for a quick solution to save water and health. The primary step is to find the root cause of the problem and find the appropriate solution. The kitchen and bathroom sinks have different reasons for leakage that require different approaches to fixing them.
