4 Ways to Fix a Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath (Fast & Easy!) (2024)

We’ve all experienced a bathroom sink leaking underneath. It’s terribly frustrating. Even worse, it can cause water damage to your floors and subflooring if not dealt with quickly.

So, today, I’m going to show you how to fix 4 problems that cause leaks under a bathroom sink.

How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath

This instruction won’t cover every type of leak you’ll find under your sink. But it will cover four of the most common problems we come across as emergency plumbers. To be prepared to tackle any of them, you’ll want to make sure you have access to:

• Adjustable wrench or slip-joint pliers
• A bucket and old rag (to catch or dry off draining water)
• Long-nose pliers
• Plumber’s putty and Teflon tape
• Any parts you might need to replace

1. Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath at the Drain Body

If water is leaking from the point where the pivot rod enters the drain body, here’s what to do:

• Tighten the retaining nut with an adjustable wrench or slip-joint pliers.
• If it still leaks, unscrew the retaining nut, slide the pivot rod out of the drain body, and replace the washer or gasket under the retaining nut.
• If leaks continue to persist and the lift mechanism is badly worn, replace its parts or the drain body and pop-up assembly.

2. Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath at the Trap

• Tighten all slip nuts and locknuts a quarter-turn. Be firm but not aggressive.
• Wipe the entire trap assembly with a dry rag, then run the basin full of water through the drain to test it.
• If leaks appear around the slip nuts, remove the trap bend, then the trap arm, and replace the washers.
• Replace the bend or arm if it is damaged or corroded.
• If the tailpiece or sink flange also leaks, go to step 3 below before installing the trap.
• If a new trap arm is too long to fit into the drainpipe, trim off the excess length with a hacksaw to fit. The trap arm should extend about 1.5 inches into the adapter or stub-out.

3. Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath at the Tailpiece

• Unscrew the tailpiece with a wrench. If it’s made of brass, it can be easily crushed so try to unscrew those by hand.
• For a better grip, here’s a pro tip: slip a wide rubber band onto the tailpiece. This will keep your hand from slipping while trying to loosen the tailpiece.
• If the tailpiece is stubborn, remove it with a pipe wrench and buy a replacement of the same length.
• An old tailpiece might crumble; use the long-nose pliers to twist out any remaining pieces from the threads of the drain body.
• Before installing a new tailpiece, wrap Teflon tape (also called thread seal tape or plumber’s tape) around the threads and replace the trap’s slip nut and washer.

4. Bathroom Sink Leaking Underneath at the Sink Flange

A worn washer or cracked putty under the sink flange might allow water to seep below the sink. Here’s what to do to prevent this kind of leak.

• Remove the trap bend, if you haven’t already done so.
• Then remove the drain body and free the flange from the sink.
• Apply a thin strip of plumber’s putty under the lip of the flange. See related resources below.
• Reinstall the drain body and pop-up assembly.
• Wipe away any excess putty around the flange.
• If leaks persist, tighten all connections one-quarter-turn at a time.

Final Thoughts

Leaks underneath a bathroom sink are quite common. We get calls every day to fix them. Although you need to attend to them quickly, you can handle many of these yourself with just a little knowledge and plumbing experience.

• Why is my faucet leaking?
• How to fix a leaky faucet troubleshooting guide
• How to replace a kitchen sink strainer (with video)
• Do you have the right plumbing tools for a plumbing emergency?
• How to use plumber’s putty (it’s as easy as Play-doh!)
• Quick, temporary fix for a pinhole leak In your pipe
• How to fix a leaky hose bib
• How to fix a leaking toilet tank
• Solutions for leaking toilet tanks and bowls
• Prevent a leaking water heater disaster
• How to find a water leak in your home

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate tocontact us hereor call us at1-Tom-Plumber(1-866-758-6237) if you have water leaking underneath your bathroom sink (or anywhere else).

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to anyemergency plumbing,drain cleaning, orwater damageproblem. We also handle theexcavationof underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.