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A leaky kitchen sink can be dreadful with pesky water puddles and annoying noises it makes. You need to know the cause of the problem to be rid of it. Not knowing what caused leakage is a bummer.
Whatever it is, though, don’t delay calling the professionals for immediate plumbing service. The constant dripping sink can make the situation worse by adding water pressure on the faucets. Or it can result in mold growth under the sink and put your family’s health at risk.
Besides, every drop of water dripping from your sink goes to waste and escalates your water bills. In Fort Lauderdale, FL, you wouldn’t like any more hike in your water bills than 7% proposed by the government.
Ignoring the leaks isn’t wise. You need to find the underlying cause of the issue. Here are some probable reasons for a leaking kitchen sink.
Leaky Faucet
Most faucet leaks are easy to detect and notice. You may notice water puddles on the sink’s top when you turn on the faucet. But sometimes, the leakages may occur under the sink where they aren’t so obvious. In this case, please check under the counter.
See if the faucet is leaking due to worn gaskets or failed washers. A severe leak may require you to replace the entire faucet, not just the washer or gaskets. If so, you need a specialized plumbing service right away.
Leaky Drains
Your plumber seals the drains with putty when installing them, but this putty can wear or dry out over time and needs better sealing. Sometimes, leakages may happen in the old drains that are beyond any repair. If this happens, you may need comprehensive plumbing service and replacement.
To identify the leakage source, you can plug the sink with drain covers, fill it up, and unplug. Search under the sink with a flashlight to find the offending component. If it’s a loose nut, you can handle it, but the problem can be deep-rooted, and this might be a warning sign. So, the better course is to call your plumber for repairing the damage and inspecting your supply lines to locate other leaks, if any.
Faulty Water Line Connections
A broken or loose pipe connection can be another potential cause of a leaky kitchen sink. Usually, homes in Fort Lauderdale, FL, have two water supply connections. But, if your sink has a sprayer, it may have three connections and a triple threat of sprung leaks and damages.
You might not even notice loose or broken connections unless your cabinets are soaked through, or you find water pooling under the sink. It may be due to a corroded or failed gasket in most cases. Schedule a plumbing service with a professional to tackle this issue immediately.
Damages in the O-Ring
The stem screw that holds your sink faucet in place has a small disc called O-ring. It can be the cause of leakage as the O-ring gets worn or loose with regular use. If you notice your faucet leaking around the handle, you can blame it on this disc and replace it.
However, take expert help for this plumbing service as a damaged O-ring may not be the only thing that’s wrong with your kitchen sink’s leakage issues.
Clogging in the P-Trap
You will find the P-trap under the sink as a curved section of a supply pipe. It helps control foul smells from wafting through drains. But, food scraps and oils can get stuck in it and clog the P-trap.
As a result, it blocks the draining water, which may end up leaking instead. However, if the P-trap is corroded or broken, it needs replacement by a professional.
High Water Pressure
You love high water pressure when taking a soothing shower, but it can spell menace if it happens in your kitchen sink. Sometimes, if water hits the pipes too hard from inside, it may be pointing to a bigger issue like burst pipes.
Incorrect water pressure leads to leakages at some points. If you suspect this to be a problem, have a plumbing specialist test your water pressure immediately and make necessary adjustments.
Broken or Worn Washers
Most of the sink problems result from a rusty, worn washer. When you use your faucet, the washer presses into the valve seat, and the constant friction wears them out. This is when you’ll notice leaks around the faucet’s spout.
Replacing washers is a simple remedy. And remember, it happens mostly in the compression faucets. If you are clueless about the faucet type in your kitchen, let plumbing service experts handle it.
Corrosion in the Valve Seats
In the compression faucets, a valve seat works as a connection between the faucet and its spout. As water accumulates on this valve seat, it corrodes and causes leakages in the spout. When you notice this issue, wait for professional plumbing service as changing the valve seat requires proper tools and expertise.
Can You Prevent Kitchen Sink Leaks?
If you want to avoid the occurrence of kitchen leaks, prevention is your safest bet. Make it a habit to never use chemical drain cleaners that do more damage than good to your plumbing lines. It may be a quick-fix for clogging or blockages, but it chews the pipes away, causing nasty leaks in its aftermath. So, hire plumbing service pros for handling clogging issues.
Another habit worth abandoning is flushing food waste or oils down the drains. They clog the drains, pipes, and leakages happen.
When Leakages Strike, Call Your Local Plumbing Pros
Burst pipes, fractures, or hairline cracks are some plumbing service issues better left to the experts. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Fort Lauderdale we can handle any leakage emergency with ease and speed. With our specialized knowledge and skills, we will get your kitchen sink back in order in no time. Contact us to schedule a leak detection or preventive maintenance schedule right away.
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