How to Fix Leaky Kitchen and Bathroom Drain Pipes

Water puddles in the bottom of your sink cabinet are a sign there is a leak in the drain pipes that requires immediate repair. Leaks will occur occasionally anywhere along the length of the sink drain pipe. Most often leaks occur at the connecting points, although metal pipes have a tendency to rust anywhere. The key to fixing a leaky kitchen and bathroom drain pipe is determining the exact location of the leak. A leak might require a replacement pipe, while most are simply a matter of retightening connections.

Things You'll Need

• Towels
• Flashlight
• Bucket
• Slip-joint pliers
• Replacement pipe (optional)
• Plumbing tape

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Open the sink cabinet, and dry off the drain pipes with a towel. Dry the connection points in particular as this is where most hidden leaks occur.

2. Turn on the faucet and shine a flashlight on the pipes. Watch the connections for signs of small water droplets as the water is running through the pipes. Look for small pin hole leaks along the sides of the drain pipes, especially of you have metal pipes. Once you identify the source of the leak, turn off the faucet.

3. Position a large bucket under the area of the leak. If there are several leaks, position the bucket under the P-trap of the sink drain pipes.

4. Loosen the connecting nuts securing the pipes together at the point of the leak with a pair of slip-joint pliers. If a portion of the pipe has a leak along the side, remove the connecting nuts on both ends of the pipe and remove the pipe completely.

5. Purchase replacement pipe at a home improvement center if necessary. Take the old portion with you to get a replacement that is the same length and the same material.

6. Slide new connecting nuts over the ends of the replacement pipe, if replacing portions of the pipe. Remove any plumbing tape from the threads on the ends of pipe where the connecting nuts secure. Wrap new plumbing tape around the threads in a clockwise direction. Do not apply plumbing tape to PVC drain pipes.

7. Thread the connecting nuts onto the pipe ends until the nuts are hand-tight. Turn the nuts another two-third turn with the pliers. Run the water from the faucet again, and observe the drain pipes for leaks. Tighten any connections as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid bumping the sink drain pipes when storing items under the sink. Bumps usually cause small movement in the connections resulting in a leak.