There is a leak under the bathroom sink, but I can't find where the water is coming from. It has soaked the carpet in front of the sink, and when I open the cabinet under the sink, I can see water dripping from floor of cabinet. I placed a small plastic trashcan under the pipe to catch drips, but the trashcan stayed dry after several hours. I can't figure out where the water is coming from. I plan to call a plumber tomorrow, but I'd welcome any help this evening, since the towels are still soaking up water. I just don't know what to do to stop the flow of water.
2006-08-27 14:37:37 · 14 answers · asked by scruffycat 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I did use the sink with the trashcan under the pipe. ANd it was still dry. Also, this bathroom is on the second floor, if that is any help. And yes, there was some pooling of water on the cabinet floor.
2006-08-27 14:49:23 · update #1
Look where the small water sopply lines that come out of the floor or wall. There should be shutoff valves on the line where they come out. turn both valves clockwise till they stop.this will stop the flow of water to the sink . voila!! If it only leaks when the water is running it's the trap. Don't use until its cleaned. If you need more info. feel free to email me.
2006-08-27 14:52:16 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 from a master plumber.The leak must be from above the cabinet floor somewhere.#2 Get a bright flashlight and look at the pipes in the cabinet to see if there's any water dripping off of them.#3Feel all pipes to see if they're wet and check your hands after wards for moisture . If you find something wet the leak is from that area or something above it.#4 If nothings leaking with the water turned off turn the water on( first the hot and then the cold) separately and repeatt steps 2&3 checking all pipes, hot and cold and the drain.#5 If you don't find a leak by doing the steps above follow through by calling a plumber.Hope this helps a little.
2006-08-27 15:00:13 · answer #2 · answered by Yahooanswerssux 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I take it you did not use the sink after the trash can was put under. Might only leak when you are using. With the trash can under the sink then run water to see if the P trap is leaking. Also take toilet paper to see where the leak is. TP will show a drop of water at the specific location of the leak. Good luck, I hope it is not in the wall and coming out at floor level. One way would be is the vanity bottom wet or not. Pooling of water where you store everything.
2006-08-27 14:44:52 · answer #3 · answered by g_e_d1960 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it only leaks when you run the faucet, then its in the drain system. If it leaks constantly, its coming from a supply line. There are two lines...hot and cold, and they should each have their own individual turn-off valve. ( under the sink) The leak should stop after turning off the offending line...so is the leak cold or warm? If you're not sure, turn them both off. They each have a nut just as the line enters the valve area. Use a medium size crescent wrench to carefully tighten them. Then slowly turn the lines back on again. If this works, you don't need a plumber. Otherwise, good luck.
2006-08-27 14:55:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't see any of the pipes under the sink or, the faucet leaking, It could be coming from a pipe inside the wall or floor. If you can afford it, I reccomend you call a Plumber. It's not going to fix itself and water can do some major damage to your home if ignored.
2006-08-27 14:47:51 · answer #5 · answered by rhino196669 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a towel and thouroughly dry all the pipes and the cabinet floor. Sprinkle flour on the cabinet floor and check frequently for wet spots; then dry the pipes again and rub flour on the pipe joints above that wet spot. This will help pinpoint the trouble spot.
Clean up ALL of the flour when you're done to avoid pest problems.
2006-08-27 16:05:48 · answer #6 · answered by Gitchy gitchy ya ya da da 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guessing it you water lines not your drainage pipe. Cut the water meter off for 15 min . DO NOT USE THE WATER . Then cut the meter back on . See if the needle moves . If so you have a water leak . Also check the bonnet nuts on your valves . Do you have quest piping ( Its a gray flexible pipe).If you have quest piping that's leaking .. Call a plumber and count on this to be a ongoing problem till its all replaced. Just replace quest in a house
2006-08-27 15:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by Chris N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry the whole thing off good & look for wetness. Water will go up some, but not much. Look for when it gets wet. If it gets more wet when the water is off, it's the supply line. The supply line is under pressure when the water is off. If the leak 'disappears' when you turn the gaucet on.... supply line.... pressure has been taken off.
If it is only wet when the water is going.... drain lines, for obvious reasons.
Turn the water on low, so there's little splashing. Get under the sink w/ a strong flashlight & look around.
2006-08-27 14:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by Fulltime in my RV (I wish) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you not have a shut off valve to your sink?
At least that would save your floor and the downstairs ceiling till the plumber comes!
2006-08-27 15:26:21 · answer #9 · answered by NANCY K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be comming from the supply lines that feed water to the fawcet. Or the gland nut under the shut off valves. feel around or l;ook around with a flashlight. It is pretty simple stuff.
Hot left, cold right and poop down.
2006-08-27 14:41:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋