Bathroom and kitchen sink repairs are some of the most common plumbing repairs in most McKinney, TX homes today. In many cases, the problem is caused by under-sink leaks. Under-sink leaks can do a lot of damage in a very short time. Luckily, these leaks are often fairly easy both to locate and fix. The leaking water that damages the floor or cabinet can come from supply hoses, the drainpipes, or even the faucet itself. Sink repair in some cases involves simply tightening a loose connection while in other cases the damage is extensive, and requires complicated repairs or replacement of entire components. The average homeowners may feel up to tackling this plumbing challenge on their own, so here are a few things to be aware of.
Assessing the Problem
The first indication of a leaking sink is a water-soaked cabinet or floor. If the leak is quite bad, you will find a pool of standing water underneath the sink. If the leak is coming from a pressurized hose, you will likely see a fine mist or spray depending on whether the crack on the hose if a hairline crack or something much bigger. If the leak is coming from the drain line, you are not likely to notice it unless you use the sink. If the problem is a faulty sink drain seal, the problem only becomes apparent when the sink is filled with water. Sink drain repair is not incredibly difficult, but it will require that you have some basic plumbing supplies on hand.
Fixing Water-Supply Leaks
Water in the supply hose is usually pressurized, so it tends to actively drip or spray from defective pipes or loose connections. The shut-off valves are a very common cause of under-sink leaks, where the problem is often caused by loose compression fittings. The best way to tighten loose compression fittings is to hold the valve using one wrench then turn the compression nut using another. If the problem is a loose faucet connection, repairing it is usually much harder because they are located in cramped spaces behind the kitchen or bathroom sink. Most people are unable to fix them and prefer leaving it to a qualified sink repair plumber in McKinney. (Psst, that would be Hackler Plumbing!) Most plumbers use an adjustable or locking pliers to tighten the loose fittings instead of a normal wrench.
Drain Leaks and Bathroom Sink Repair
Leaks that come from a P-trap are mostly caused by a loose connection, corroded metal traps or blockages in the drain pipes. If the trap continues leaking even after you have tightened the compression nuts, then remove it and give it a thorough cleaning. Clear the drain line using an auger if you suspect there is a blockage. You can tighten compression nuts on the P-trap using bare hands, though metal traps require pliers. If the nuts on a metal trap are hard to turn, this often means they are corroded and require replacing. Back to the hardware store. 🙁
Fixing Other Leaks
If you are unable to pinpoint the exact source of the leak, then the problem is likely the sink drain, which normally only leaks when the sink if filled with water. If the sink drain is leaking, unscrew it and repack it using plumber’s putty. This is usually enough to fix the problem. In some cases, the faucet could be the source of the leak, in which case it might need replacing. If you find water backing up in your sink, then this is an indication that the drain pipes are clogged and need unblocking.
Hackler Plumbing is a family-owned plumber business located in McKinney, TX, and we also serve the surrounding locales of Allen, Frisco and North Dallas in general. We provide the full suite of residential and commercial plumbing services including repair of plumbing leaks, sink leaks, slab leak detection, hot water replacement, circulation systems, and many more. We can often provide same-day plumbing services for residents of McKinney, Texas and Collin County. Please call us for all your sink repair needs as well as other types of plumbing repairs. We want to become your plumber for life! 214-585-1499