Galvanized or cast-iron drain in an older home
In older Oak Park homes the drain behind the sink is often galvanized or cast iron that rusts from inside. We replace the failing section with new pipe.
Serving Oak Park & nearby Berwyn, Chicago
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Oak Park, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Oak Park traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Oak Park ZIP 60302, 60304, 60301
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Oak 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 Oak Park dry everything, run water in stages to find the source and rebuild the part that failed.
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.
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.
Leaking garbage disposal connection
Water from the disposal area may be a loose discharge tube or a failed flange seal. We tell you whether it's a repair or a new unit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where we look first
- 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.
- Dishwasher and disposal connectionsDishwasher hose rerouted with a high loop or air gap where needed.
- 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 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.
Parts we replace
Basket strainersThe fitting at the bottom of the bowl that holds the stopper and seals the drain.
Dishwasher hose and air gapParts that keep the dishwasher draining one way, into the sink drain.
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.
Transition couplingsFittings rated for connecting new drain pipe to older metal pipe.
Before and after: kitchens near Oak Park
Problem
Fixed
DetailOak Park kitchen, brick bungalow from the 1920s: kitchen sink leak & drain repair
A brick bungalow from the 1920s near Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, a typical kitchen for Oak Park. What we started with: white porcelain double-drainboard sink. What bothered the owners most: an old drain dripping into the sink base. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered dishwasher and disposal connections, supply side check, plus leak test.
Before
AfterAn Elmhurst two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Elmhurst. The kitchen as it was: solid-surface integrated sink. The main complaint was a leak under the sink that kept coming back. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant locate the leak, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus supply side check.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Elmhurst →
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Park Ridge
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Park Ridge, a typical kitchen for Park Ridge. What we started with: white double sink. The main complaint was a leaking trap under the double sink. After: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included drain pipe and wall connection, supply side check, plus cabinet floor repair.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterAn Oak Park brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after
What changed: 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 Oak Park →
Before
AfterOak Park kitchen, prewar foursquare: kitchen cabinet painting
What changed: the same doors sprayed in soft white, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Oak Park →How the repair goes
- 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.
- RepairNew trap, strainer seal, hose or pipe section as needed.
- Test and dryWe confirm the repair holds and show you what to watch for.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair questions from Oak Park homeowners
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.
Why is my kitchen sink leaking underneath?
Under-sink leaks usually come from slip joints, the strainer, the dishwasher connection or the pipe itself. We test each until we find it.
Will tightening the nuts fix it?
Sometimes, briefly. If the washer is worn or the pipe is cracked, tightening won't hold and can crack plastic fittings.
Can a handyman fix a leaky sink pipe?
Simple trap washer swaps are minor. Replacing drain pipe, wall connections or anything tied into the plumbing system is work for a licensed plumber in Illinois.
How long does it take to fix a sink leak?
Usually a short visit. Leaks inside the wall or old corroded pipe take longer.
Oak Park plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for sink leak repair?
Separate plumbing permit required; single-family owners may obtain permit by affidavit to do work themselves. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Oak Park building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Permit & Development Division (Development Services Department), phone 708-358-5430. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do Oak Park 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 Oak Park?
It depends on the scope. Oak Park's rule in short: Permits needed for installing new cabinets and countertops and for any extension or alteration of electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems; separate electrical and plumbing permits. We handle the permit when one is needed with Permit & Development Division (Development Services Department).
Do you work in my part of Oak Park?
Yes. Our crews work across Oak Park, including Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, Gunderson Historic District, Harrison Street arts district — ZIP 60302, 60304, 60301 — and nearby Berwyn, Chicago, Elmhurst.
Working in Oak Park
- Most Oak Park 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 the Ridgeland/Oak Park Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic DistrictGunderson Historic DistrictHarrison Street arts district
ZIP 60302ZIP 60304ZIP 60301
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Oak 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.