Kitchen sink leaks can be frustrating and are a potential source of damage to your home. If you’ve noticed even a small leak from the kitchen sink it is worth investigating. Much of the water, and therefore the damage, may be hidden from view. Here are a few reasons why your kitchen sink is leaking and what you can do to fix it.
1. Drain Problems
Leaks from the drain are messier and more hidden than other kitchen sink leaks. The drain may have developed a gap or hole, perhaps from damage, rust, or simply plumber’s putty drying out over time. If you have one of these issues, it is best to have a professional find and fix this issue. Sometimes the drain is so old that it is better to just replace it. Although the answer may also be very simple. For example, it may be that the washer on the drain line is loose. In this case, your plumber will tighten it.
2. Broken Fixture
Leaks from broken fixtures are more obvious. Typically, you’ll see these leaks the moment that you turn the faucet on. Even if the water leaks and lands inside of the sink, it is worth solving this problem to prevent further damage and replacement costs for the fixture. Usually, the problem is that an O-ring on the handle or a gasket in the fixture has broken or loosened. Sometimes, a leaking fixture may also indicate water pressure problems.
Another big fixture problem to watch out for is the valve seat. This is the sot where the spout and faucet connect. Poor design or installation may allow water to collect on the valve seat, which can cause rusting or corrosion. Eventually, the rust can wear away at the metal until it creates a leak. In this case, your plumber will need to replace the fixture.
3. Loose Supply Connection
While the drain and the fixture are the most common sources of kitchen sink leaks, it’s also possible that the leak is coming from the supply line. This line brings water to the sink. Most often, if the supply line has a problem, it has a loose connection, which the water spurts out of. But with that in mind, the supply line may also leak because it has been damaged or has developed serious rust issues over time.
4. Clogs
A clog does not always lead to a leak, but it can create one. If you have a clog in the P-trap beneath the sink, the water that you send down the drain can back up and force its way into gaps or force a hole in the plumbing putty or in other spots in the drain line. Not only will your plumber need to fix this gap, but they will also have to remove the clog.
5. Water Pressure Problems
When your water pressure is too high, the water running to your kitchen sink puts a lot of pressure on the supply line and the faucet. This can burst a pipe, or it can just create small, intermittent leaks. Either way, you’ll need a plumber to find the source of your water pressure problems.