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.
Serving Geneva & nearby Batavia, St. Charles
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Geneva, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Geneva traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Geneva ZIP 60134, 60510
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Geneva
We repair leaking kitchen sink drains in Geneva: new traps and tailpieces, resealed basket strainers, tightened or replaced dishwasher connections and cracked drain pipe cut out and replaced.
Old S-trap or wrong parts
An S-shaped trap with no vent can siphon dry and let sewer odor into the kitchen. When we repair the drain, we bring it up to a vented P-trap where the setup allows.
Cracked or corroded drain pipe
A pinhole or crack in the drain pipe can't be sealed for long. We replace the section with new pipe and fittings.
Drip from the trap or slip joint
The nuts on a plastic or chrome trap seal with thin washers that wear, shift or crack. We replace the washers or the whole trap so the joints seal again.
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.
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.
Leak only when water runs
Water under the sink only while the faucet runs points to the supply side: a valve, a connector or the faucet base. Drain leaks show up when water goes down.
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.
Where we look first
- Dry and inspectWe empty the cabinet, dry every pipe and look for corrosion, cracks and stains.
- Basket strainer resealA new basket strainer if the old one is corroded or cracked.
- Trap and tailpieceThe trap assembly rebuilt with matching parts and a proper seal.
- Dishwasher and disposal connectionsDishwasher hose rerouted with a high loop or air gap where needed.
- Drain pipe and wall connectionThe trap adapter or drain arm at the wall rebuilt when it leaks.
- Supply side checkWe look at the stops and faucet lines too, since they leak into the same cabinet.
- Leak testWe run water through every path and confirm nothing drips.
Parts we replace
Dishwasher hose and air gapA new drain hose, clamps and a high loop or counter air gap where required.
Transition couplingsShielded couplings and adapters to join new PVC to old galvanized or cast iron.
Chrome-plated brass trapsBrass with a chrome finish, a sturdier choice than thin chrome-plated steel.
PVC traps and tailpiecesStandard white or black PVC drain parts with slip-joint connections.
Basket strainersThe fitting at the bottom of the bowl that holds the stopper and seals the drain.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair before and after — Geneva homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailA Geneva 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story in Geneva. Before: white cast-iron double sink. The main complaint was a corroded trap under an old sink. After: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered dry and inspect, trap and tailpiece, plus leak test.
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Batavia
A 1990s two-story colonial in Batavia, a typical kitchen for Batavia. Before: white double sink. The main complaint was a leaking trap under the double sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant trap and tailpiece, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus drain pipe and wall connection.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Batavia →
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, St. Charles
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in St. Charles. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. The main complaint was a bucket permanently parked under the drain. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant basket strainer reseal, supply side check, plus leak test.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in St. Charles →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1990s two-story colonial, Geneva
Finished: 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 Geneva →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a 1990s two-story colonial, Geneva
What changed: the same doors sprayed in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Geneva →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 sourceWe dry the area and test each connection to locate the leak.
- 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 Geneva homeowners
Is it safe to keep using the sink?
With a small drip, put a bowl under it and use the sink lightly until it's repaired. A steady leak means stop using that drain.
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.
Why does my sink leak after installing a dishwasher?
The new hose connection is the likely culprit. We fix it and make sure there is a high loop or air gap.
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.
Does sink leak repair need a Geneva building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Building & Zoning Division (Building Division), 109 James St., phone 630-262-0280. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does Geneva require a licensed plumber for sink leak repair?
Homeowner may do own plumbing only if owner-occupied; otherwise an Illinois licensed plumber with Letter of Intent, plumbing license and state contractor license. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Geneva?
It depends on the scope. Geneva's rule in short: A building permit is required before any construction or alteration; separate Kitchen Remodel permit form exists. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building & Zoning Division (Building Division), 109 James St..
Do you work in my part of Geneva?
Yes. Our crews work across Geneva, including Mill Creek — ZIP 60134, 60510 — and nearby Batavia, St. Charles, West Chicago.
Working in Geneva
- A lot of Geneva kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Geneva homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Geneva Historic District and designated Historic Landmarks? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Mill Creek
ZIP 60134ZIP 60510
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Geneva
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.