One of the more frustrating occurrences in the home is when a drip or leak appears under the bathroom or kitchen sink. Depending on the severity of the leak, this can not only result in water damage to the flooring under the sink, but it can increase your water bill as well. So how do you fix a leak under the sink without having to call plumber?
For small leaks, sometimes the solution can be as easy as taking a wrench and tightening all of the components down. But you will need to isolate the problem so that you can see exactly where the leak is coming from. In order to do this, you need to have an understanding of the components that make up your plumbing under the sink.
You will likely find either a “U”- or “S”-shaped tube, which is called the “trap”. This piece screws into two other pieces (known as “the tailpiece” and the “waste arm”) to complete the flow path of water from the sink to the external source. All of these connections are made at the joints, which are screwed together using round “slip-joint” nuts that look like big rings. Often, it is at these joints where the source of the problem resides.
The first thing you will want to do – provided you can see that a drip is coming from a particular joint – is try tightening the ring nuts with a wrench. If the leak stops, you may have fixed the problem. However, sometimes the leak is the result of a broken rubber washer the seals the connection between two joining sections of pipe. In this case, the solution may be as simple as replacing the washer. Simply take out the washer to be replaced and visit your local hardware store. An employee will likely be able to help you find a match for the washer.
Of course, the one thing to remember about fixing a leak under the sink is that the process can get a bit messy, so you will want to have some old rags nearby when working on the problem. You may find that when you start to take apart the tubing, you will need to clean out the pipes and make sure they are free of debris. In addition, you may also need to use two wrenches to hold either the waste arm or tailpiece in place while you are unscrewing the trap joints for inspection.
Remember, all of these parts can be replaced easily just by visiting a local hardware store. Inspect all the parts to determine the exact problem. You may even need to replace the entire trap if you notice a hole rusted through or a damaged joint. If this is the case, be sure to stuff a rag inside the waste arm to halt the release of any flammable or poisonous sewer gases. It always pays to be safe when working around the home.
Once you take your damaged parts to the hardware store to find replacements, be sure to pick up new washers either way, because these rubber washers can often become damaged in the process of disassembling the slip-joints. If you are going to take the time to replace parts, it’s always a good idea to be sure you have a secure, air-tight connection.
More severe plumping problems may require a plumber. But most small leaks or drips can be easily fixed. All you need is a wrench or pair of pliers, and a little bit of basic knowledge. Once you start working under the sink, it often becomes fairly easy to see what actual cause of the problem is.