Do you have a leak under kitchen sink?
If the sound of running water is coming from under your sink, it’s likely that there’s a leak. It can be alarming to hear a constant drip and then see a puddle under the kitchen sink.
However, despite what you might think, you don’t need to call in plumbing services when this simple DIY project will get everything back in working order again.
So keep reading to discover how to fix leaky pipe under sink in 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Turn off Water Supply
Begin by turning off the water supply that runs into your kitchen sink cabinet. This is typically underneath the sink or behind some type of access panel on the wall nearby. Once it’s turned off there should no longer be any water pressure running through the pipes that feed into your kitchen sink.
Step 2: Check Pipes for Leaks
Use a flashlight to search the pipes in the area of your sink cabinet for any wet spots where water appears to be leaking through. It might help if you remove some items that are stored under the sink, such as cleaning supplies or extra garbage bags, before you start checking behind them.
You may need up on your toes to see well in this process, so take off your shoes and climb up onto the counter before getting started.
If you find any wet spots in the piping system under your kitchen sink, check to make sure they are actually leaks by pouring small amounts of water on each spot in order to confirm that’s where it’s flowing from. If not, you can eliminate these spots as the source of your leak.
Step 3: Look at the Joints of the Pipes Near the Leak
Pipes under a kitchen sink are usually soldered together, and leaks can occur at any joint that isn’t properly sealed. Turn on your flashlight again and look closely near each joint for cracks or gaps that might indicate where a leak is occurring in your piping system.
It can be alarming to your kitchen leaking around edges and then seeing a puddle under the kitchen sink. Fixing the leak quickly makes life easier for everyone in the house, and it’s best to learn how to fix a leak yourself rather than hiring a plumber who will charge several hundred dollars for this simple repair.
Step 4: Re-Solder the Leak
If you have determined that your leak is coming from a spot where two or more pieces of the metal piping meet, use a propane torch in order to reapply solder paste to both sides of the joint. Make sure there are no drips anywhere else on the pipe before reheating the solder with your torch in order to seal off any leaks at that junction.
You can then turn back on your water supply and check again under your sink cabinet for signs of water leaking under kitchen sink cabinet and there are no signs of your bathroom sink leaking underneath. If it seems dry, you’ve done a good job at finding and fixing the leak.
Need More Help to Fix the Leak Under Kitchen Sink
It’s not always easy to figure out how to fix a leak under kitchen sink, but with these handy tips, you should be able to get it fixed in no time. We have all of the information that you need about pipes and plumbing on our blog so check it out!