Galvanized or cast-iron drain in an older home
Galvanized drain arms corrode at the threads and leak where they enter the wall. Cutting back to sound pipe and transitioning to PVC is the usual fix.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Evanston, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Evanston traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Technicians covering Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Evanston
We repair leaking kitchen sink drains in Evanston: new traps and tailpieces, resealed basket strainers, tightened or replaced dishwasher connections and cracked drain pipe cut out and replaced.
Leak that reaches the unit below
In a condo or apartment a sink leak can show up as a stain on the neighbor's ceiling. We trace it to your sink, the wall or the shared line.
Leak around the drain in the sink bowl
Water that shows up when the sink is full often comes from the basket strainer. The old putty or gasket has failed and the strainer is reset with fresh plumber's putty.
Musty smell under the sink
Odor can also come from a dry or unvented trap. We check whether it is a leak, a venting issue or both.
Leaking garbage disposal connection
Disposals leak at the sink flange, the dishwasher inlet or the discharge pipe. Some are resealed; a disposal leaking from its body has to be replaced.
Cracked or corroded drain pipe
Old chrome traps rust through from inside and plastic pipe can crack where it was overtightened. The damaged section is cut out and replaced.
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.
Drain sealed with tape or putty
Duct tape, epoxy putty or silicone around a drain joint buys a few weeks at most. We remove the patch and replace the joint properly.
What the repair visit covers
- 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.
- Trap and tailpieceThe trap assembly rebuilt with matching parts and a proper seal.
- Dishwasher and disposal connectionsHose clamps, inlet and outlet fittings checked and replaced.
- Supply side checkShut-off valves and supply connectors checked while we are there.
- Cabinet floor repairDamaged sink base floor cut out and replaced once the plumbing is dry.
- Leak testSink filled and drained, dishwasher run and every joint checked dry.
Common fixes and parts
Plumber's putty and gasketsThe right sealing material for the sink: putty, a gasket or a stain-free compound for stone.
Dishwasher hose and air gapA new drain hose, clamps and a high loop or counter air gap where required.
Basket strainersStainless or brass strainers matched to the sink, set in putty or with a gasket.
Transition couplingsFittings rated for connecting new drain pipe to older metal pipe.
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
What the work looks like in Evanston homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailBefore and after: a prewar brick bungalow in Evanston
The site: a prewar brick bungalow in Evanston. What we started with: white porcelain double-drainboard sink. What bothered the owners most: a corroded trap under an old sink. After: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant trap and tailpiece, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus cabinet floor repair.
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen sink leak & drain repair
A 1990s two-story colonial in Skokie, a typical kitchen for Skokie. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. The reason for the call: a leak under the sink that kept coming back. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included locate the leak, supply side check, plus cabinet floor repair.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Skokie →
Before
AfterPark Ridge kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen sink leak & drain repair
The site: a 1980s two-story in Park Ridge. The kitchen as it was: white double sink. The reason for the call: a wet cabinet floor under the sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered locate the leak, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus cabinet floor repair.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterAn Evanston 1920s bungalow: before and after
Finished: soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a prewar foursquare, Evanston
What changed: the same doors sprayed in soft white, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Evanston →The repair visit
- Call or send a photoDescribe the leak and when it happens, and we schedule a visit.
- Find the sourceDiagnosis first, then we explain what failed and what the repair involves.
- RepairNew trap, strainer seal, hose or pipe section as needed.
- Test and dryWater run through every path and the cabinet left clean and dry.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair questions from Evanston 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.
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.
Do I need to replace the whole drain?
Not usually. We replace what failed, unless the old metal drain is corroded throughout.
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.
Will tightening the nuts fix it?
A quarter turn may stop a drip, but recurring leaks mean new washers or a new trap.
Evanston building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services), phone (847) 448-4311. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Evanston plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for sink leak repair?
No separate plumbing license listing on the registration page; hired plumbing contractors must provide proof of licensure and attend inspections. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do Evanston condo associations need to approve sink leak repair?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
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.