Sink Repair

Turn on the faucet and let the water run for a minute, then turn it off. Place dry paper towels or a flashlight around the sink basin, faucet base, drain assembly, and the pipes underneath. Look for drips, wet spots, or water stains. The source could be a loose connection, a cracked pipe, a worn gasket, or a faulty faucet component. Focus on the most common leak areas first: the base of the faucet, the P-trap, and the connections to the water supply lines.

Locate the hot and cold water shut-off valves, usually found on the wall behind the sink. Turn the handles clockwise until they are completely closed. If you cannot find or operate these valves, you may need to shut off the main water supply to the entire house.

If the leak appears to be coming from the faucet base, reach under the sink and feel for any loose nuts or mounting screws that secure the faucet to the sink or countertop. Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to gently tighten these connections. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the faucet or the sink.

Inspect the drain flange where it meets the sink basin, the large nut connecting the tailpiece to the drain body, and the connections of the P-trap. Use channel-lock pliers to gently tighten any loose nuts. If the leak is at the P-trap connection, ensure the slip nuts are snug.

Feel along the hot and cold water supply lines for moisture. Check the compression nuts where the lines connect to the faucet tailpieces and where they connect to the shut-off valves. Use an adjustable wrench to gently tighten any loose connections. If the lines themselves appear damaged or corroded, they may need replacement.

If tightening connections did not stop the leak, inspect rubber gaskets and O-rings around the faucet base, drain assembly, and pipe connections. Carefully remove the old gasket or seal, noting its position and orientation. Install a new, appropriately sized gasket or seal. For faucet base leaks, this may involve removing the faucet assembly. For drain leaks, it might mean disassembling parts of the drain pipe.

If the leak is coming from the drain flange where it meets the sink, or if you've disassembled and reassembled a joint that still weeps, apply a ring of plumber's putty around the underside of the flange before inserting it into the drain hole, or apply a bead of silicone sealant around the joint after reassembly. Clean excess putty or sealant that squeezes out.

Once repairs are made, reassemble any components that were taken apart. Slowly turn the hot and cold water shut-off valves counter-clockwise to restore the water supply. Turn on the faucet and let the water run, checking all repaired areas and connections for any signs of drips or leaks. Let the water run for several minutes and check again, as some leaks may only appear under pressure or after a short time.