Finding a leak in your Bathroom, Kitchen And Utility Sinks

Every home is bound to have at least one during its lifetime, and if gone un-checked, can cause serious damage to both your home and bank account. We’re talking about a leaky sink. Even if your sink is only dripping 10 times per minute, that can amount to more than 500 gallons per year! Not only that, it can be causing damage to your cabinets, floors and ceilings which could cost you even more money. So, to help you save both time and money down the road, we’ve compiled some easy tips to help you identify and repair some common water leaks in your sink(s).

Things you’ll need for the job:

Flashlight
Sponge
Towel
Wrench (optional)
Caulking Solution (optional)
Caulking Gun (optional)

Identifying The Type Of Leak You Have

The first step to repairing any water leak is identifying the type of leak you have. There are three common areas where a leak can develop in and around your sink; leaks will occur around the rim, water supply and drain lines. Depending on both the severity and type of leak you have, you may or may not need to call a professional plumber to help you repair it.

Problem: The Rim Of The Sink – This type of leak is often caused by either old/worn out caulking solution or a loose faucet base . To find out if this is the leak you have, take a sponge and soak it with water. Next, squeeze out the water from the sponge around the rim of the sink. Now, take your flashlight and look in the cabinet underneath the sink. If you see any drops or pools of water under the sink, you likely have a leak in the rim of your sink.

Solution: To fix this type of leak, all you have to do is either replace the bead of caulking solution or use a wrench tighten the faucet base.

Problem: The Water Supply Line – This type of leak is caused by a loose connection or hole somewhere in the supply line. Unless you’re a certified plumber, we’d recommend calling a professional to have it fixed. Though, you can always inspect the connections and supply line itself to see if that’s the issue. To do this all you will need is a dry towel. first, turn on the water to the sink and let it run for a minute or two. While the water is running take a dry towel and rub it along and around any connections in the water supply line. Inspect the towel after wiping each connection point to see if it’s at all damp. If so, you’ve likely spotted the loose connection in your water supply line.

Solution: Call your local plumber and have them inspect and determine just what needs to be done to repair the line.

Problem: The Drain – This leak is often attributed to a leaky joint, slip nut, ring nut or strainer under the sink. To test for this, fill up your sink with water. Now, open the drain and allow the water to drain out of the sink. As the water is draining take a dry towel and flashlight and wipe all the connections along the drain line. If at any point you find water on the outside of a connection, you’ve likely found a water leak.

Solution: Try taking a wrench and tightening any loose connections you may have. If this doesn’t stop the leak, you’ll need to contact a professional plumber for further assessment.

If you’re still looking for more ways to ensure that water is flowing efficiently and properly through your home check out this article on natural drain cleaner, or try implementing some of these water saving tips.

Also, be sure to check out more of our green home improvement projects: Green Living Ideas, after all, is a top 20 home improvement website!

Photo courtesy of Isolated Existence, Bob Villa, Connor Plumbing and the Family Handyman.

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Tags: bathroom, kitchen, leak, sinks, water bill, water leaks

About the Author

Peter Young graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) with a degree in journalism and has made sustainability and eco-conscious living mainstays of both his professional and personal life. It was during his time at PLU that he began his journey with sustainability and it's what has led him to writing for Green Living Ideas. He currently resides in Honolulu and works for Pono Home, an energy efficiency company focused on reducing carbon emissions and promoting a healthier, greener lifestyle.