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 Oak Brook & nearby Villa Park, Lombard
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Oak Brook, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Oak Brook traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Oak Brook ZIP 60523
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Oak Brook
We repair leaking kitchen sink drains in Oak Brook: 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
Flexible accordion pipe, mismatched parts and S-traps all cause leaks and slow drains. We replace them with standard trap parts.
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 around the drain in the sink bowl
The strainer sits in a bed of putty that dries and cracks over time. A fresh seal, or a new strainer if the old one is corroded, stops the leak at the drain opening.
Musty smell under the sink
A mildew smell in the cabinet often means a slow leak that never pools. We check every joint and look for moisture under the cabinet floor.
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.
Swollen or stained cabinet floor
If the sink base floor is warped and stained, it has been wet for a while. Once the plumbing is dry, the floor panel can be replaced and protected with a liner.
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.
What we check and fix
- 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.
- 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.
- Cabinet floor repairDamaged sink base floor cut out and replaced once the plumbing is dry.
- Leak testWe run water through every path and confirm nothing drips.
Repair options
Chrome-plated brass trapsBrass with a chrome finish, a sturdier choice than thin chrome-plated steel.
Basket strainersStainless or brass strainers matched to the sink, set in putty or with a gasket.
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
Plumber's putty and gasketsPutty or rubber gaskets seal the strainer to the sink; stone sinks often need a putty that won't stain.
Dishwasher hose and air gapParts that keep the dishwasher draining one way, into the sink drain.
Before and after: kitchens near Oak Brook
Problem
Fixed
DetailOak Brook kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen sink leak & drain repair
The site: a 1980s two-story in Oak Brook. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. The reason for the call: a leak under the sink that kept coming back. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included drain pipe and wall connection, supply side check, plus leak test.
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Villa Park
A 1990s two-story colonial in Villa Park, a typical kitchen for Villa Park. What we started with: white double sink. The reason for the call: a leaking trap under the double sink. 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.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Villa Park →
Before
AfterOak Brook kitchen, 1970s tract home: kitchen remodeling
What changed: cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with satin brass pulls, white quartz with soft gray veining counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Oak Brook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1970s split-level in Oak Brook
Finished: the same doors sprayed in sage green, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Oak Brook →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 dryWe confirm the repair holds and show you what to watch for.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair questions from Oak Brook 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.
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.
Can you fix water damage to the sink cabinet?
Yes. Once the leak is fixed and dry, we replace the cabinet floor or add a liner to protect it.
How long does it take to fix a sink leak?
Most under-sink leaks are fixed in an hour or two once the source is found.
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.
Oak Brook plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for sink leak repair?
Current Illinois plumbing license (055 and 058) or current City of Chicago license; other municipalities' business licenses not acceptable. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Oak Brook building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Development Services (Building), phone (630) 368-5101. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Oak Brook?
It depends on the scope. Oak Brook's rule in short: Village publishes a Residential Permit Requirement Listing; its Residential Alteration category requires contract/scope of work, architectural plans and plat of survey. We handle the permit when one is needed with Development Services (Building).
Do you work in my part of Oak Brook?
Yes. Our crews work across Oak Brook — ZIP 60523 — and nearby Villa Park, Lombard, Elmhurst.
Working in Oak Brook
- A lot of Oak Brook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Oak Brook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development Services (Building) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60523
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Oak Brook
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.