Why is my sink leaking underneath?
Water underneath a sink may be coming from a supply line, faucet connection, drain fitting or disposal. It can travel along a pipe or cabinet edge, so the first wet spot is not always the source. I trace where the water begins before I decide what needs to be tightened, repaired or replaced.
Why can the leak be hard to find?
Water follows pipes, cabinet edges and low spots. I may see a wet corner on one side of the cabinet and find the loose connection several inches away. That is why I dry the area and trace where the water begins instead of tightening every fitting I can reach.
Overtightening a plastic drain fitting or forcing an older shutoff valve can create another problem. If you're not sure what you're looking at, containing the water is better than guessing at the repair.
What would I do while I wait?
Put a towel or shallow pan under a slow drip and clear out anything that can be damaged. If there is an accessible fixture shutoff and you know it works, you can close it gently. For a larger active leak that cannot be isolated, shut off the home's main water only if you know where it is and can reach it safely.
Take one wide photo of the whole cabinet and one close photo of the wet area. Those usually tell me more than a picture that is too close to show how everything connects.
Two more questions homeowners ask me
If this sounds familiar, let's talk it through.
If the cabinet keeps getting wet or you cannot tell where the water starts, give me a call or send me those photos. I can help you arrange the next practical step.