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.
Serving Skokie & nearby Evanston, Park Ridge
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Skokie, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Skokie traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Technicians covering Skokie ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Skokie
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 Skokie dry everything, run water in stages to find the source and rebuild the part that failed.
Cracked or corroded drain pipe
Rust spots, crusty buildup or a hairline crack on the drain mean the pipe is failing. Replacing it costs far less than a ruined cabinet.
Drain sealed with tape or putty
Temporary patches hide the leak until it gets worse. A new fitting or pipe section is the real repair.
Leaking garbage disposal connection
We check the mounting flange, the hose inlet and the outlet to find where a disposal is leaking before deciding what to replace.
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.
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.
Leak right after a new dishwasher install
If the sink cabinet got wet right after the dishwasher was put in, the drain connection is the first place we look.
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.
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.
- Basket strainer resealA new basket strainer if the old one is corroded or cracked.
- 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 checkShut-off valves and supply connectors checked while we are there.
- Cabinet floor repairDamaged sink base floor cut out and replaced once the plumbing is dry.
Parts we replace
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
Basket strainersStainless or brass strainers matched to the sink, set in putty or with a gasket.
Transition couplingsShielded couplings and adapters to join new PVC to old galvanized or cast iron.
Chrome-plated brass trapsHeavier metal traps for exposed sinks or where you want a finished look.
Plumber's putty and gasketsThe right sealing material for the sink: putty, a gasket or a stain-free compound for stone.
Kitchens like yours in Skokie: before and after
Problem
Fixed
DetailA Skokie two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Skokie. What we started with: solid-surface integrated sink. The main complaint was a leak under the sink that kept coming back. After: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included dry and inspect, basket strainer reseal, plus cabinet floor repair.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1920s bungalow in Evanston
The site: a 1920s bungalow in Evanston. The kitchen as it was: white porcelain double-drainboard sink. The main complaint was an old drain dripping into the sink base. After: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. On site this meant locate the leak, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus drain pipe and wall connection.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Evanston →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Park Ridge
A 1980s two-story in Park Ridge, a typical kitchen for Park Ridge. Before: white double sink. What bothered the owners most: a wet cabinet floor under the sink. The result: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. The job covered dry and inspect, dishwasher and disposal connections, plus supply side check.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in light butter yellow with polished nickel pulls, black honed granite counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Skokie →
Before
AfterA Skokie 1950s ranch: before and after
What changed: the same doors sprayed in powder blue, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Skokie →How the repair goes
- 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.
- 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 Skokie homeowners
Why does my sink leak after installing a dishwasher?
Usually the drain hose: a loose clamp, the knockout in the disposal left in place or a bad tailpiece connection.
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.
What affects the price of a sink leak repair?
Where the leak is, which parts fail, whether the wall or cabinet needs opening and the age of the pipe. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
How long does it take to fix a sink leak?
Usually a short visit. Leaks inside the wall or old corroded pipe take longer.
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.
Skokie building permit for sink leak repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division (www.skokiepermits.com), phone (847) 933-8223. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for sink leak repair in Skokie?
It depends on the scope. Skokie's rule in short: Electrical work and plumbing or electrical system changes need a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division.
Do you work in my part of Skokie?
Yes. Our crews work across Skokie — ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203 — and nearby Evanston, Park Ridge, Glenview.
Working in Skokie
- A lot of Skokie kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Skokie homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60076ZIP 60077ZIP 60203
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Skokie
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.