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Home
Ideas & Advice
How-to Guides
Kitchens
How to Fix a Leaking Sink

How to fix a leaking sink Useful links Tools

Screwdriver
Bucket
Wrench
Cloth

Materials

Kitchen Sink Waste & Overflow Kit

Useful Links

How to Fix a Leaking Tap
How to Unblock a Sink
How to Plumb a Kitchen Appliance

Planning & preparation

A leaking sink is generally caused by the washers, the plastic seals between the sink and the strainer, being old, perished or damaged
Firstly, try and work out where your leak is coming from. Check all the pipes underneath the sink, including the cold and hot tap feeds, for any signs of drips or moisture. Then, hand-tighten the compression fittings before testing the sink for leaks again
To check whether the washers are causing the problem, simply fit your plug and fill the sink with cold water, then wait to see if the level drops. If it does, you’ll almost certainly need to replace the washers
Several methods for fixing a leaking sink are shown in this guide, but if the problem persists then call in a professional

Do it right

If you do have to remove the plughole and washers, carefully clean the surrounding area before replacing washers and reassembling
It’s best to store manufacturer’s instructions for your sink and taps somewhere safe, as this information may help you to locate the source of the leak and solve the problem as quickly as possible
Check the seal periodically for the 24 hours following any repair work

Staying safe

Turn off the water supply before carrying out any plumbing work
No specific safety equipment is required, but it’s a good idea to be careful of sharp edges when removing the plughole and when cleaning the area around the sink hole

Step by step

Start by turning off your water supply. To do this, locate the stopcock and turn it clockwise.

Remove any cabinet doors that may block your access to the pipes and the underneath of the trap.

Place a bucket or watertight container underneath the trap to catch any water that spills out.

Unscrew the two compression fittings that hold the waste pipe in place. You may need to use a wrench if the compression fittings are particularly tight.

Carefully remove the waste pipe and empty the water into the container below.

Next, disconnect the overflow pipe from the side of the trap.

Remove the lower half of the sink waste by unscrewing the screws that holds the top of the drain to the strainer. It’s best to reach underneath and hold the bottom of the strainer still whilst you do this.