Tutorials 101: How To Repair your Kitchen Sink Pipes

One of the most common problems inside the house is the kitchen sink pipes. The number one problem that usually occurs in dealing with these kinds of pipes is clogging. Residue from the left over are the most common factors attributed to the clogging of pipes. Another problem is the leaking of the pipes due to damage of the joints or the failure of the sealant to prevent the water from coming out. Let’s face it, hiring a plumber is really a big cut to the budget that we have specially now in the times of crisis. Life is hard and a single penny earned should be on the more important spending. It is recommended that home owners should have background knowledge on how to repair their kitchen sink to save money. Here is a guide on how to repair your kitchen sink pipes.


First thing you should do when you are going to start your repair is to locate the valve that controls the flow of the water in your pipes. You can usually locate this valve at the bottom or top area of the sink. If you are unsuccessful in finding the valve just go to the main valve and shut it. If ineffective in determining what valve or how to shut the water source ask for an advice from an expert specifically the local water department in your area. After shutting down all water sources check for the pipes if it’s leaking and its temperature before doing any repair. Use flashlight to be certain in looking for leaks and check the back of the pipes using your hands to determine if it’s not leaking beyond the visible range. Do this along with putting a bucket and a towel under the sink for protection against water dripping from the floor. The most common material that is being used as a sink pipes are PVC pipes which are very easy to handle.


In the case of small leaks, use tip of the pencil, toothpicks or any stick. Place it on the hole and use it as a marker. Apply sealant or putty on that area along with wrapping with duct tape in just the right amount as not to overwrap and make sure to level the area in every side. This will serve as temporary until you can replace it with a new one. For the leaks that happen in the fittings, use wrench to loosen the rings for us to see the thread it was connected to. Once you’ve seen it apply the pipe thread tape to the threads and connect them. For better protection against leaking you can introduce putty or sealant around the fittings. For a very large leak that occurs in your pipes, it is better to replace the whole pipes with the new one. Bring your badly damaged pipes to hardware or any kitchen utility store and replace it with exactly the same material or you can ask for an advice from that store on what is better for your sink.