Why is My Kitchen Sink Leaking? 8 Common Causes

A leaky sink can be a nuisance in any household! Hearing that annoying noise or dealing with the pesky puddles is a hassle.

Not knowing why it’s happening can make it even more frustrating to deal with!

When your sink is leaking, you’ll need to figure out if you can fix it yourself or need to hire a professional.

If you’re dealing with a kitchen sink leaking, read this article to find out about 7 reasons it might be happening.

1. Corroded Valve Seat

Your valve seat in your kitchen sink connects the spout and the faucet for the compression mechanism. If you are getting excess water at your valve seat, it can cause corrosion.

Corrosion is when the material starts to breakdown as part of a chemical reaction. It can easily occur when water is present, which is why it can be a real problem when it comes to your home’s plumbing systems.

A corroded valve seat will lead to leaks. You should clean the valve seat on a regular basis with the help of a professional to avoid this problem.

2. Loose Water Supply Connection

If your leak is under the kitchen sink and is constant, you might have a problem with your water supply line for that sink.

Your kitchen sink probably has two water supply connections, but you might have three if your sink has a sprayer. Each of these connections poses the risk of having a leak and causing sink leakage issues.

You may not actually notice these leaks until it has soaked everything under your sink. A leak in your water supply connection might be because of a failed gasket or corrosion.

Replacing the gasket or tightening the connection should stop the leak.

3. Damaged O-Ring

The O-ring is a small disc that is attached to the stem screw holding your faucet handle in place.

It is common for kitchen sink leaks to happen as the O-ring wears out or gets looser from use. This may cause your faucet to link around the handle.

You should replace the O-ring to fix this problem. It’s a good idea to contact a plumber about this problem to ensure that the O-ring is the issue and not something more serious.

4. Faucet Leak

If your faucet is leaking, you’ll probably be able to see it pretty quickly. You may see puddles on top of your sink whenever your faucet is turned on.

Another place that you might notice a faucet leak is under the sink, so you may only see it if you look underneath the counter.

Check for failed washers or worn gaskets when you have a faucet leak. They will need to be replaced if they happen to be the problem.

5. Clogged P-Trap

A P-trap is the curved part of a pipe that is usually found underneath a sink. It is meant to prevent bad smells from getting up through the drain.

Your P-trap is going to be out of sight, so you might not see a clog or a leak right away.

As time goes by, you might see that there is gunk, pieces of food, or other contaminants that end up at the P-trap. It will block water from draining correctly and may end up causing a leak as a result.

If this is the case, you can get it cleared and the leak should stop. If your P-trap is broken or corroded, however, it will need to be replaced.

6. Drain Leak

A drain will usually have a seal with putty to prevent leaks. If the putty is thin or it starts to dry out, your drain may be the cause of your leak.

A leak might come from an old drain too, especially if it has been used extensively in the past. Contacting a plumber is a good idea to make sure that the drain is replaced properly in this case.

7. Worn Washers

One of the most common reasons your sink is leaking is a worn-out washer. Whenever you use your faucet, the washer gets pressed on the valve seat, which causes friction.

You’ll start to see leaks around the spout if this is the cause of your sink leak. You can get this problem fixed by replacing the washer, especially if you have a compression faucet.

8. Excessive Water Pressure

Having high water pressure is great when you’re taking a shower, but it’s not so great when it causes a leak. If your water is hitting inside of the pipes too hard, there is a greater chance of a problem developing.

If the water pressure is so high that it is extreme, your pipes may actually burst.

In a situation not quite as extreme, incorrect water pressure may cause occasional leaks to spring, especially directly following water flow.

If you see this change start to happen, you may need to have a plumber test your water pressure and make the adjustments as they are needed.

Is Your Kitchen Sink Leaking?

It can be so difficult to deal with a kitchen sink leaking, especially if you’re having trouble diagnosing the cause of the leak.

After all, if you don’t know how to fix the leak itself, cleaning up the water isn’t going to do much. You need to get the problem repaired or replaced to stop the leak.

If you happen to be dealing with a kitchen sink leak right now and don’t know what to do next, call a professional plumber at Royalty Plumbing.