The Kitchen sink is probably the most used fixture in your whole home. We use it to wash dishes, get drinking water, rinse fruits and vegetables, wash our hands, fill up pots and kettles, and more. Our kitchen sinks do a ton of work for us, so it is no wonder that they are a common problem area when it comes to leaks, clogs, and other plumbing issues.
Call in a plumber as soon as you notice a leak. Even very minor leaks waste water and can cause mildew and mold growth and extensive water damage over time, so don’t ignore that leak! If you notice your kitchen sink leaking, it is more than likely that one of these is the culprit.
If you have an older, worn drain, the drain itself may be the thing that is leaking. You can figure out whether the leak is at the drain by looking underneath your sink and seeing if the water is coming from the drain directly or from somewhere further down. A plumber can either tighten the drain to fix the problem or replace the drain entirely if it is too far gone.
A problem with your water supply connection is likely if the leak under your kitchen sink is constant or if you can see the sink drain pipe leaking at connection. A plumber can usually fix this by either replacing the gasket or simply tightening the connection. This type of leak is especially important to get dealt with immediately because it can cause serious water damage to your counter and cabinets if left unchecked.
Old, worn out washers are a major cause of a leaky sink. Every time you turn the water on in your kitchen, the washer gets pressed against the valve seat, the friction of which causes the washer to wear down over time. Replacing the worn out washers is a relatively easy fix that your plumber can do for you quickly.
If you are seeing water pooling around the edges of your sink or even seeping out from underneath your counter, you are probably looking at a faucet leak. Some common reasons for a faucet leak include a corroded valve seat or an issue with the O-ring. A plumber will be able to replace these parts or, if needed, replace the entire faucet.
Leaks aren’t the only common problem with kitchen sinks–clogs are also pretty likely. More often than not, if your kitchen sink is clogged, it’s because something is lodged in the P-trap under the sink.
The P-shaped pipe directly underneath your kitchen sink is called a P-trap or sink trap. The sink trap works to prevent noxious sewer gases from entering your home. The water that remains in the curved part of the trap acts as a seal, preventing sewer gases from rising through the kitchen sink.
The shape of the P-trap also means it is a common place for clogs to form. Gunk and bits of debris get caught up in the curved section of the pipe
Proper drain care goes a long way in preventing clogs. Be mindful of what you put down your drain. Use a drain strainer to catch food bits and other debris before they get washed down the drain, and don’t dump oil and grease from cooking down the drain–instead, collect it in a can or jar and toss the whole thing in the trash.
If you do get a stubborn clog, don’t reach for the store-bought drain cleaner. The chemicals actually eat away at your pipes and will cost you in the long run! Instead, use a plunger. If that doesn’t work, call in a plumber for drain cleaning to get rid of the clog using non-chemical techniques such as snaking or hydro-jetting.
Sink pipe leaking? Kitchen sink leaking underneath? Got a stubborn clog? Butler is here to help! Our company has been serving Edmonton and the surrounding area since 2005, and our reputation speaks for itself.
If your kitchen sink (or any other fixture) is acting up, we’ve got the skills to do the job right. Whether you need something repaired, routine maintenance done, or a new installation completed, we’re here for you.
