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.
Serving Highland Park & nearby Northbrook, Glenview
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Highland Park, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Highland Park traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Technicians covering Highland Park ZIP 60035
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Highland Park
A leak under the kitchen sink can come from a dozen joints, and the drip usually lands far from where it starts. Our licensed plumbers in Highland Park dry everything, run water in stages to find the source and rebuild the part that failed.
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.
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.
Leak right after a new dishwasher install
New installs leak most often at the hose clamp or the tailpiece fitting. We redo the connection and run a full cycle to check it.
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.
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.
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.
Old S-trap or wrong parts
Sinks hooked up with corrugated tubing or an S-trap tend to leak and smell. A properly sized P-trap fixes both.
What the repair visit covers
- 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 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 checkWe look at the stops and faucet lines too, since they leak into the same cabinet.
- Leak testSink filled and drained, dishwasher run and every joint checked dry.
Common fixes and parts
Basket strainersStainless or brass strainers matched to the sink, set in putty or with a gasket.
Dishwasher hose and air gapParts that keep the dishwasher draining one way, into the sink drain.
Transition couplingsFittings rated for connecting new drain pipe to older metal pipe.
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.
Before and after: kitchens near Highland Park
Problem
Fixed
DetailHighland Park kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen sink leak & drain repair
This one is a 1980s two-story in Highland Park. The kitchen as it was: white double sink. The reason for the call: a leaking trap under the double sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included dry and inspect, basket strainer reseal, plus leak test.
Before
AfterA Northbrook 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story near Techny. The kitchen as it was: solid-surface integrated sink. What bothered the owners most: a water-stained cabinet floor. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered basket strainer reseal, drain pipe and wall connection, plus supply side check.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Northbrook →
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Buffalo Grove
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Windfield. Before: white cast-iron double sink. What bothered the owners most: an old drain dripping into the sink base. After: 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 Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Highland Park
Cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Highland Park →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Highland Park
What changed: the same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Highland Park →The repair visit
- 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 Highland Park 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.
Will tightening the nuts fix it?
A quarter turn may stop a drip, but recurring leaks mean new washers or a new trap.
What affects the price of a sink leak repair?
A trap swap is simple; old corroded pipe or cabinet repair adds work. You get a line-item estimate before we start.
Can you fix water damage to the sink cabinet?
We can cut out the swollen bottom and install a new panel in the sink base.
Do I need to replace the whole drain?
Most repairs are one component. In older homes with rusted galvanized, we may recommend replacing more.
Do you work in my part of Highland Park?
Yes. Our crews work across Highland Park, including Ravinia District, Downtown Highland Park, Port Clinton, St. John's — ZIP 60035 — and nearby Northbrook, Glenview, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Highland Park
- A lot of Highland Park kitchens date from the pre-1940. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Highland Park homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
Ravinia DistrictDowntown Highland ParkPort ClintonSt. John's
ZIP 60035
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Highland Park
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.