Plumbing • RepairRiot

Kitchen Sink Troubleshooting & Repair Guides

Find the closest kitchen sink plumbing symptom and open the guide that matches what is happening before you take things apart or replace parts.

Find The SymptomCheck SafelyFix The Right Problem
Kitchen Sink plumbing repair scene

Find your kitchen sink problem

Start with the symptom you can see. If water is active, shut it off first, then use the guide that matches the first thing that went wrong.

Draining and clogs

Kitchen sink not draining

Water stands in the sink or drains very slowly.

Double sink drains slowly

Both bowls drain slowly or one side affects the other.

One side not draining

Only one bowl backs up or holds water.

Leaks under and around the sink

Kitchen sink leaking

Water appears around the sink, drain, faucet, or cabinet.

Kitchen sink leaking under sink

Water collects inside the cabinet below the sink.

Kitchen sink drain leaking

The leak comes from the basket, tailpiece, trap, or drain fittings.

Backups and disposal issues

Sink fills when disposal runs

Water rises in the sink when the disposal runs.

Disposal side not draining

The disposal side holds water or drains poorly.

Water backing up into other side

Water moves from one bowl into the other.

Pressure, hot water, and noise

Cold water pressure low

Cold water is weak only at the kitchen sink.

Hot water pressure low

Hot water flow is weak or slow at the kitchen sink.

Kitchen sink water hammer

Pipes knock or bang when the kitchen faucet is used.

Smells and cabinet moisture

Kitchen sink sewer smell

Sewer odor comes from the drain or cabinet.

Cabinet smells musty

A musty smell suggests hidden moisture or leakage.

Water pools under cabinet

Water appears on the cabinet floor after sink use.

More Plumbing topics

Bathroom Sink

Bathroom Sink

Toilet

Toilet

Shower

Shower

Bathtub

Bathtub

Faucet

Faucet

Drain / Sewer

Drain / Sewer

Sump Pump

Sump Pump

Well Pump / Pressure Tank

Well Pump / Pressure Tank

Water Pressure

Water Pressure

Shutoff Valves

Shutoff Valves

Frozen Pipes

Frozen Pipes

Sink Components

Sink Components

Pipes / Fittings

Pipes / Fittings