What if You Find a Leak Under Your Sink?

12/26/2020 (Permalink)

Fixing the leak should be the key priority now

A hidden water leak is potentially a dire situation in Wyncote, PA. It can give the water time to cause severe damage, seeping behind barriers and gradually warping absorbent construction materials. It also can cause hidden flooding.
A leak under a sink often falls into this category. You need to be attentive for the symptoms and act quickly once the problem is discovered.

What Are the Signs?

Some sinks are above cabinets you may regularly access, but others may not be accessed for months (or longer). If you open the cabinet and see that it’s wet, you need to act immediately. Other signs are more subtle, including

• Musty or moldy odor
  
• Warped wood
  
• Yellow, green or black mold growth
  
• Stains or discoloration
  
• Peeling paint or warped wallpaper
  
  

A common way the problem is discovered is a strong moldy odor when the cabinet door is opened. That’s a sure sign of water in home areas it doesn’t belong.

What Should You Do First?
Immediately locate the nearest water shutoff valve and close it. Even if there’s no flooding, a reoccurring drip can cause mass damage over time.
If there’s a shutoff valve in the cabinet and the leak is stopped by it, you can take that sink offline while still having water in your house. That gives you time to consider your options.

What Next?
Fixing the leak should be the key priority now. Whether it’s a bathroom issue or a significant kitchen repair, a licensed plumber and water damage restoration technician should perform an inspection to determine if there’s hidden water damage.
Water damage is insidious and can be a long-term problem. It attracts wood-boring insects, such as termites, and it needs to be removed. If the leak caused flooding, there will be extensive damage, possibly even including structural issues.
In some cases, insurance will cover much of the costs of restoration, assuming you found the leak in a reasonable time. However, if you know about a leak and do nothing about it, that can seriously prejudice your claim.