Meet Marcus. He opened the cabinet under his kitchen sink and found a puddle. Then he noticed the rusty pipe. Then the dishwasher stopped working. Suddenly he was looking at repair quotes that were way more than he had set aside.
Marcus is not a real person, but his story is very real. I see it all the time. A tiny drip gets ignored, and over a few months it turns into a soaked cabinet, a damaged floor, and a much bigger bill. The good news is that most of this can be avoided if you catch it early.
Signs of a leak under your sink
- Water stains or a puddle on the cabinet floor
- A musty or mouldy smell when you open the door
- A soft, warped, or bubbling cabinet base
- Green or white crust and rust on the pipes
- A drain that runs slower than it used to
- A water bill that is higher than normal
What to do if you find a leak
- Turn off the water. Most sinks have two small shut off valves under them. Turn them clockwise to close.
- Catch the drips. Put a bucket or bowl under the leak.
- Clear and dry the cabinet. Take everything out and let the space air dry to stop mould.
- Take a photo. It helps your plumber understand the problem faster.
- Call a professional. A quick fix now is much cheaper than replacing a cabinet or floor later.
Why small problems get expensive
Water is sneaky. It soaks into wood, spreads under flooring, and creates the perfect place for mould. One loose connection can slowly damage your cabinet, your subfloor, and even the ceiling below if your kitchen is upstairs. And like Marcus found out, problems tend to show up in groups. An old pipe, an older dishwasher hookup, and outdated wiring often go hand in hand.
A simple habit that saves money
Once a month, open your sink cabinet and take a quick look with a flashlight. Check the pipes, the shut off valves, and the dishwasher hose. It takes one minute and can save you a lot of stress.
One team for the whole kitchen
At MAH Contracting, our licensed plumbers repair and replace faucets, sinks, pipes, dishwasher hookups, and fridge water lines. Our electricians can update outdated wiring too, so you do not need to call three different companies. Learn more about our plumbing and electrical services.
Found a drip? Do not wait for it to grow. Call 905-924-4904, email info@mahcontracting.ca, or request your free estimate.
