Leak right after a new dishwasher install
A new dishwasher sometimes leaks at the drain connection because the knockout plug in the disposal wasn't removed or the clamp wasn't tightened. We correct the hookup.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Buffalo Grove, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Buffalo Grove traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Technicians covering Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Buffalo Grove
Water in the sink cabinet means something is loose, cracked or worn out: a trap nut, a strainer gasket, a dishwasher hose or the drain pipe in the wall. We find which one in your Buffalo Grove kitchen and repair it so the cabinet floor stays dry.
Musty smell under the sink
If the sink base smells damp, water is getting somewhere. Finding a small leak early saves the cabinet and the floor below.
Leaking garbage disposal connection
We check the mounting flange, the hose inlet and the outlet to find where a disposal is leaking before deciding what to replace.
Swollen or stained cabinet floor
Particleboard cabinet bottoms swell once they get wet. We fix the leak first, then repair or replace the floor of the cabinet.
Leak at the drain in the wall
Water behind the sink base often starts at the wall connection. We open what we need to reach it and replace the failed fitting.
Drip from the trap or slip joint
Slip-joint washers flatten and dry out over the years. When a trap keeps weeping no matter how hard you tighten it, the trap assembly is replaced.
Dishwasher drain hose leaking
Leaks that show up only when the dishwasher drains are usually at the hose connection. We replace the clamp or the hose and set a proper high loop or air gap.
Leak around the drain in the sink bowl
The strainer sits in a bed of putty that dries and cracks over time. A fresh seal, or a new strainer if the old one is corroded, stops the leak at the drain opening.
What the repair visit covers
- Dry and inspectWe empty the cabinet, dry every pipe and look for corrosion, cracks and stains.
- Basket strainer resealStrainer removed, cleaned and reset with fresh putty or a new gasket.
- Trap and tailpieceNew trap, washers and tailpiece in PVC or chrome-plated brass.
- Dishwasher and disposal connectionsHose clamps, inlet and outlet fittings checked and replaced.
- Drain pipe and wall connectionCracked or rusted pipe cut out and replaced back to sound pipe.
- Supply side checkShut-off valves and supply connectors checked while we are there.
- Cabinet floor repairNew cabinet bottom or a protective liner after the leak is fixed.
Repair options
Transition couplingsFittings rated for connecting new drain pipe to older metal pipe.
Basket strainersStainless or brass strainers matched to the sink, set in putty or with a gasket.
Chrome-plated brass trapsHeavier metal traps for exposed sinks or where you want a finished look.
Dishwasher hose and air gapParts that keep the dishwasher draining one way, into the sink drain.
Plumber's putty and gasketsPutty or rubber gaskets seal the strainer to the sink; stone sinks often need a putty that won't stain.
Before and after: kitchens near Buffalo Grove
Problem
Fixed
DetailKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Buffalo Grove
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near The Highlands. The kitchen as it was: white cast-iron double sink. What bothered the owners most: a corroded trap under an old sink. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included trap and tailpiece, supply side check, plus cabinet floor repair.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lake Zurich
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lake Zurich. What we started with: white double sink. What bothered the owners most: a leaking trap under the double sink. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant trap and tailpiece, drain pipe and wall connection, plus supply side check.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Northbrook 1980s two-story: before and after
A 1980s two-story in Northbrook, a typical kitchen for Northbrook. The kitchen as it was: solid-surface integrated sink. The reason for the call: a bucket permanently parked under the drain. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered dry and inspect, trap and tailpiece, plus cabinet floor repair.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Northbrook →
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
What changed: cabinets in pale sage with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Buffalo Grove
What changed: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Buffalo Grove →From diagnosis to fixed
- Call or send a photoTell us what you see; a photo of the cabinet helps us bring the right parts.
- Find the sourceDiagnosis first, then we explain what failed and what the repair involves.
- RepairFailed parts replaced, usually in the same visit with parts from the truck.
- Test and dryWe confirm the repair holds and show you what to watch for.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
Can a handyman fix a leaky sink pipe?
In Illinois, plumbing work is done by plumbers licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Our licensed plumbers handle drain repairs.
What affects the price of a sink leak repair?
Where the leak is, which parts fail, whether the wall or cabinet needs opening and the age of the pipe. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Why does my sink leak after installing a dishwasher?
Look at the dishwasher drain fitting first. Improper hookups are a frequent cause right after an install.
How do I tell if it's the drain or the faucet?
If it leaks only while the faucet runs, look at the supply side. If it leaks when water drains, it's the drain side.
Can a leaking sink cause mold?
Yes. A slow leak that keeps the cabinet damp can grow mold on the cabinet floor and the wall behind it. Fixing the leak quickly is the best prevention.
Buffalo Grove plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for sink leak repair?
Plumbing permit requires a letter of intent from the licensed plumber; contractors provide State of Illinois plumbing license and 055 contractor registration. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Buffalo Grove building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
Kitchen Sink Installation & ReplacementNew sinks, undermount and farmhouse styles.
Kitchen Faucet InstallationFaucet swaps and new pull-down faucets.
Garbage Disposal Installation & RepairDisposals unjammed, repaired or replaced, with the drain connected right.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.