Under-sink leak repairs — Oldham & Greater Manchester
A puddle under the sink is rarely where the actual leak is — water tracks along pipes and cabinet bases before it pools, so the wet patch you find isn't always above the fault. I trace and fix under-sink leaks in kitchens and bathrooms across Oldham and the surrounding area, and I check for the damage the leak has already caused before I close the cabinet back up.
How under-sink leaks usually show up
These are the signs people describe most often before calling:
- A puddle or damp patch appearing in the cabinet base after using the sink
- A musty smell from the cabinet that wasn't there before
- Swollen or soft chipboard on the cabinet floor
- Water only appears when the dishwasher or washing machine runs, not the sink itself
- A slow drip that's been getting worse over weeks
- Staining on the ceiling of the room below the kitchen
- The waste pipe under the sink looks loose or has visible white limescale build-up at a joint
Clear quote before any work starts. A call-out fee may apply — always confirmed on the phone before we travel.
How I trace and fix it
Finding the actual source matters more than replacing the first thing that looks suspect.
- 01
Isolate and dry the area
First step is stopping any active leak and drying the cabinet out so I can see clearly what's wet and trace it back rather than guessing at a damp mess. - 02
Run each fitting in isolation
Tap, waste trap, dishwasher connection, washing machine feed, supply pipework — I run each one separately to work out exactly which is causing it, since more than one item is often connected under a single sink. - 03
Check compression joints and waste connections
Most under-sink leaks come from a compression fitting that's loosened over time, a perished washer, or a waste trap that was never seated properly. These get remade or replaced rather than just tightened and hoped for. - 04
Assess damage to the cabinet and floor
If water's been sitting for a while, the cabinet base or the kitchen floor underneath may have swollen or started to rot. I'll tell you honestly what's cosmetic and what needs attention beyond the plumbing. - 05
Pressure test and monitor before closing up
The repaired connection is tested under full pressure and use, and I'd rather leave the cabinet open for you to check over the next day than seal a leak I'm not fully confident in.
Why these leaks get missed for so long
Under-sink leaks are sneaky because cabinets hide them so well. Water can run along the underside of a shelf or down the back of a cabinet for weeks before it finally drips somewhere visible, so by the time you see a puddle the leak might already be well established.
In kitchens with a dishwasher and washing machine both plumbed in near the sink, it's common for several connections to be crammed into a small space with limited access — which makes original installation shortcuts more likely, and makes tracing the actual source trickier once something starts weeping.
If the leak has been running for some time, it's worth checking the cabinet floor and the kitchen floor beneath for softness, not just fixing the pipe and closing the door. I'll flag anything that looks like it needs a joiner or a floor covering specialist rather than pretending it's not there.
Is this an emergency, or can it be booked in?
Both are fine — but it helps us prioritise if you know which one you're describing.
- Water is actively pooling and can't be stopped by turning off the tap
- There's staining or dripping through the ceiling of the room below
- The leak is near an electrical socket or appliance
- A slow drip that's been noticed but isn't causing visible damage yet
- A musty smell without an obvious wet patch
- You want a general check under the sink as part of routine maintenance
- The cabinet has old water staining from a leak that's since stopped
Emergency? Here's what to send us
A photo or short video helps too. The more we know before setting off, the less time is wasted when we get there.
Your postcode
So we can tell you straight away whether you're inside the radius we cover.
What the problem is
In your own words — where the water is coming from and how long it's been going on.
A phone number
The best number to reach you on when we're close, so nobody is left waiting at the wrong door.
House or flat
Flats, shared risers and upstairs neighbours change how a leak has to be isolated.
Under-Sink Leaks — common questions
How do I know if it's the tap, the waste or an appliance?
Run the tap on its own first, then check again after using the dishwasher or washing machine separately. If you can't isolate it yourself, that's exactly what I check systematically on site.
Is the cabinet damage covered by insurance?
That depends on your policy and how long the leak had been running — I can give you an honest assessment of the damage and cause, which is usually what an insurer will ask for.
Can you fix it without replacing the whole waste system?
Often, yes — a single failed joint or washer can usually be remade or swapped without replacing everything. If the whole trap assembly is old and brittle, I'll say so before quoting for a full replacement.
Will you check the floor underneath too?
Yes — I'll check for softness or swelling in the cabinet base and the floor beneath, and tell you plainly if it needs more than a plumbing fix.
What's the cost to trace and fix a leak?
You'll get a clear quote before any work starts once the source is identified. A call-out fee may apply and is confirmed on the phone before I travel.
More answers on our plumbing FAQ page and in how it works.
Related jobs we take on
Areas we cover for this
Plumbing emergency right now?
Call and speak to the plumber who will be doing the job — not a call centre. Lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.
You get a clear quote before work starts. A call-out fee may apply — confirmed on the phone before we travel.