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 Lake Zurich & nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Lake Zurich, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Lake Zurich traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Lake Zurich ZIP 60047
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Lake Zurich
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 Lake Zurich kitchen and repair it so the cabinet floor stays dry.
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.
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 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.
Drip from the trap or slip joint
A slow drip from the curved pipe under the sink is usually a slip joint. Tightening helps for a while; new washers or a new trap fix it.
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
The dishwasher hose connects under the sink at the disposal or a tailpiece branch. A loose clamp or a cracked hose end leaks every cycle.
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.
What we check and fix
- Dry and inspectEverything under the sink is cleared and wiped dry so we can see where water appears.
- Locate the leakWater run in stages: faucet, full bowl, disposal, dishwasher drain.
- Trap and tailpieceNew trap, washers and tailpiece in PVC or chrome-plated brass.
- 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.
- Cabinet floor repairNew cabinet bottom or a protective liner after the leak is fixed.
- Leak testWe run water through every path and confirm nothing drips.
Parts we replace
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.
Chrome-plated brass trapsBrass with a chrome finish, a sturdier choice than thin chrome-plated steel.
Plumber's putty and gasketsPutty or rubber gaskets seal the strainer to the sink; stone sinks often need a putty that won't stain.
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
What the work looks like in Lake Zurich homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1980s two-story, Lake Zurich
A 1980s two-story in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. Before: 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. Work included dry and inspect, locate the leak, plus supply side check.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine, a typical kitchen for Palatine. What we started with: white cast-iron double sink. The main complaint was a corroded trap under an old sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included dry and inspect, locate the leak, plus trap and tailpiece.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Palatine →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Lake Zurich
What changed: cabinets in deep olive with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Lake Zurich
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 Lake Zurich →From diagnosis to fixed
- Call or send a photoDescribe the leak and when it happens, and we schedule a visit.
- 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 Lake Zurich homeowners
How long does it take to fix a sink leak?
Usually a short visit. Leaks inside the wall or old corroded pipe take longer.
Can you fix water damage to the sink cabinet?
Yes, the sink base floor can be rebuilt after the plumbing repair.
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.
Will tightening the nuts fix it?
A quarter turn may stop a drip, but recurring leaks mean new washers or a new trap.
Can a leaking sink cause mold?
Damp, dark sink cabinets are where mold starts. Stop the leak, dry the area and replace soaked materials.
Lake Zurich plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for sink leak repair?
Plumbing contractors submit state registrations (055 & 058) and a letter of intent with each permit application. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Lake Zurich building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department), phone 847-540-1696. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Lake Zurich?
It depends on the scope. Lake Zurich's rule in short: Permit required for remodeling (kitchen, bath, basement). We handle the permit when one is needed with Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department).
Do you work in my part of Lake Zurich?
Yes. Our crews work across Lake Zurich — ZIP 60047 — and nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights.
Working in Lake Zurich
- A lot of Lake Zurich kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Lake Zurich homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60047
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Lake Zurich
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.