Drain sealed with tape or putty
If someone wrapped the pipe to stop a drip, the joint under the wrap is failing. We cut it out and rebuild it.
Serving Crystal Lake & nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Crystal Lake, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Crystal Lake traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Crystal Lake ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Crystal Lake
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 Crystal Lake kitchen and repair it so the cabinet floor stays dry.
Leak right after a new dishwasher install
If the sink cabinet got wet right after the dishwasher was put in, the drain connection is the first place we look.
Swollen or stained cabinet floor
A long, slow leak turns the cabinet floor soft and dark. After the repair we can cut out the damaged panel and fit a new floor in the sink base.
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.
Leak only when water runs
A leak that appears when the faucet is on but stops when the sink drains is often at the faucet or the supply lines. We check those before the drain.
Leak at the drain in the wall
When the trap is dry but the back of the cabinet is wet, the leak can be at the trap adapter or the drain arm going into the wall.
Leak around the drain in the sink bowl
If the leak appears only after the bowl is filled, the seal between the strainer and the sink is gone. We pull the strainer, clean it and reseal it.
Dishwasher drain hose leaking
A dishwasher hose without a high loop or air gap can push dirty water back into the machine. We fix the leak and the routing at the same visit.
What we check and fix
- Dry and inspectWe empty the cabinet, dry every pipe and look for corrosion, cracks and stains.
- Locate the leakWater run in stages: faucet, full bowl, disposal, dishwasher drain.
- Basket strainer resealStrainer removed, cleaned and reset with fresh putty or a new gasket.
- Dishwasher and disposal connectionsDishwasher hose rerouted with a high loop or air gap where needed.
- 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.
Common fixes and parts
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
Plumber's putty and gasketsThe right sealing material for the sink: putty, a gasket or a stain-free compound for stone.
Basket strainersThe fitting at the bottom of the bowl that holds the stopper and seals the drain.
Chrome-plated brass trapsBrass with a chrome finish, a sturdier choice than thin chrome-plated steel.
Dishwasher hose and air gapParts that keep the dishwasher draining one way, into the sink drain.
What the work looks like in Crystal Lake homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailA Crystal Lake 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Crystal Lake. Before: white cast-iron double sink. The reason for the call: an old drain dripping into the sink base. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant dishwasher and disposal connections, drain pipe and wall connection, plus cabinet floor repair.
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Lake Zurich
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. Before: white double sink. What bothered the owners most: a wet cabinet floor under the sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included locate the leak, basket strainer reseal, plus drain pipe and wall connection.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Crystal Lake
What changed: cabinets in warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light beige 18x18 porcelain tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Crystal Lake →
Before
AfterA Crystal Lake 1980s two-story: before and after
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Crystal Lake →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 dryWater run through every path and the cabinet left clean and dry.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair questions from Crystal Lake homeowners
How do I tell if it's the drain or the faucet?
Fill the bowl and let it sit; drips at the strainer show up then. Run the faucet with the stopper out to test the trap.
What affects the price of a sink leak repair?
The part, the access and any damage repair. We explain it and put it in writing.
Will tightening the nuts fix it?
Overtightening is how many plastic traps crack. If a gentle snug doesn't stop it, the part needs replacing.
How long does it take to fix a sink leak?
Usually a short visit. Leaks inside the wall or old corroded pipe take longer.
Is it safe to keep using the sink?
If water is pooling, stop using the sink and the dishwasher until we fix it.
Does sink leak repair need a Crystal Lake building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division (ezAPP online permits), phone (815) 356-3605. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does Crystal Lake require a licensed plumber for sink leak repair?
Plumbing work requires a copy of the plumber's license, State plumbing contractor registration, and an original plumber's letter of intent (notarized or with corporate seal). Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Crystal Lake?
It depends on the scope. Crystal Lake's rule in short: Kitchen alteration handout (Nov 2019) requires a contractor list and two sets of plans showing floor plans, electrical layout, structure and plumbing changes; inspections for rough electrical, plumbing, framing, insulation and final. We handle the permit when one is needed with City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Crystal Lake?
Yes. Our crews work across Crystal Lake, including Downtown, Coventry, Four Colonies, The Villages — ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098 — and nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin, Hoffman Estates.
Working in Crystal Lake
- A lot of Crystal Lake kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Crystal Lake homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
DowntownCoventryFour ColoniesThe VillagesWedgewoodBurtons Bridge
ZIP 60014ZIP 60012ZIP 60098
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Crystal Lake
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.