Found a Leak Under Your Sink?

A wet sink cabinet is easy to wipe up and forget. But water from a slow drip can run behind the cabinet and under it, into the wall and subfloor, where you can't see it. Here's how to tell whether it's a quick fix or something that needs an inspection.

Step 1: Stop the Water

Close the shutoff valves under the sink. If they won't close or the leak is on the valve itself, shut off the main. Fixing the leak itself is usually a plumber's job. We handle the water damage it leaves behind.

Step 2: Empty It and Photograph It

Take everything out and take wide and close photos of the cabinet floor, the back panel, the pipes and the floor in front of the cabinet. Do this before you dry or clean anything. If this becomes an insurance claim, these photos matter.

Step 3: Check How Far It Went

• Press the cabinet floor. Hard is a good sign. Soft, blistered or bowed means it soaked in.
• Look at the back panel and the side panels for swelling or dark stains.
• Pull off the toe-kick (the strip at the bottom) and look underneath with a flashlight.
• Check the floor in front of the cabinet and the wall or ceiling below, if there's a room or basement underneath.
• Notice the smell. A musty smell inside the cabinet often means moisture has been there a while.

When It's a Quick Fix vs. When to Call

Probably DIY: a small, fresh drip, a cabinet floor that's still hard, and no swelling elsewhere. Dry it with the doors open and a fan for a few days before you seal or cover anything.

Book an inspection if:

• the cabinet floor or side panels are soft or swollen
• there's staining or swelling under the toe-kick or on the floor in front
• the wall behind the sink, or the ceiling below, shows stains
• there's a musty smell, or you don't know how long it's been leaking

We check moisture in the cabinet, wall and subfloor, photograph everything, and lay out a plan for drying and repair. Our water damage cleanup and drying service dries the area out, and we repair cabinets and subfloors in-house through our water damage repair team. For other early warning signs around the house, see our signs of water damage checklist.

Will Insurance Cover It?

It depends on the cause and your policy. See our water damage insurance help page. Haven't filed a claim yet? We offer a free inspection before you file, so you know what you're dealing with when you talk to your insurer.

Master Restoration serves homeowners in Charlotte, Concord, Indian Trail, Matthews, Monroe, Stallings, and Waxhaw. See all the North Carolina areas we serve for more.