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.
Serving Wheaton & nearby Glen Ellyn, Winfield
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Wheaton, IL
Leaks under the kitchen sink in Wheaton traced to the source and fixed, from the strainer to the drain in the wall.
- Repairs across Wheaton ZIP 60189, 60187
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Sink leaks and drain problems we repair in Wheaton
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 Wheaton dry everything, run water in stages to find the source and rebuild the part that failed.
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.
Leak at the drain in the wall
The joint where the sink drain meets the wall pipe can loosen or corrode. We rebuild it so the trap seals to sound pipe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What we check and fix
- Dry and inspectEverything under the sink is cleared and wiped dry so we can see where water appears.
- 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 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 repairNew cabinet bottom or a protective liner after the leak is fixed.
- Leak testWe run water through every path and confirm nothing drips.
Repair options
Basket strainersThe fitting at the bottom of the bowl that holds the stopper and seals the drain.
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.
Chrome-plated brass trapsHeavier metal traps for exposed sinks or where you want a finished look.
PVC traps and tailpiecesPlastic trap parts that don't rust and are easy to service later.
What the work looks like in Wheaton homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailA Wheaton 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Downtown Wheaton. What we started with: white double sink. The reason for the call: a wet cabinet floor under the sink. Finished kitchen: the drain rebuilt with new fittings and a dry cabinet floor. Work included trap and tailpiece, drain pipe and wall connection, plus cabinet floor repair.
Before
AfterKitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Glen Ellyn
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Glen Ellyn. 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. The job covered trap and tailpiece, drain pipe and wall connection, plus cabinet floor repair.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair in Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterWheaton kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in muted aubergine with matte black pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Wheaton →
Before
AfterWheaton kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen cabinet painting
The same doors sprayed in white uppers and dusty blue lowers, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Wheaton →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 sourceDiagnosis first, then we explain what failed and what the repair involves.
- 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 Wheaton homeowners
How do I tell if it's the drain or the faucet?
Supply leaks happen whenever the valves are open; drain leaks only happen when water goes down.
Can a leaking sink cause mold?
Yes. A slow leak that keeps the cabinet damp can grow mold on the cabinet floor and the wall behind it. Fixing the leak quickly is the best prevention.
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.
Do I need to replace the whole drain?
Rarely. Usually one part failed: a washer, a trap, a strainer seal or a section of pipe.
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.
Does Wheaton require a licensed plumber for sink leak repair?
Plumbing contractors must submit State Plumbing Contractor Registration (055) and State Plumbing license (058). Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
What is the Wheaton building department phone number?
Permits go through Building & Code Enforcement Department, phone 630-260-2050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do you work in my part of Wheaton?
Yes. Our crews work across Wheaton, including Downtown Wheaton, Wheaton Center, Danada Square area — ZIP 60189, 60187 — and nearby Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Glendale Heights.
Working in Wheaton
- A lot of Wheaton kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Wheaton 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.
Downtown WheatonWheaton CenterDanada Square area
ZIP 60189ZIP 60187
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Wheaton
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.