Question: I have a problem with a water leak under my kitchen sink. The pipes are fine — I’ve confirmed this. The water is coming from a failed seal under the rim of the sink. It sits on top of the counter and should be sealed properly, but given the age of our home it makes sense. My question is, do I need to finish breaking this seal and lift the sink out in order to seal it back up? We aren’t ready for a kitchen remodel, though it is needed, so I need to solve this problem properly so it will last until we are ready. Any thoughts on this?
— Axel J.
Answer: Axel, you are correct; the sink needs to be lifted out completely. Clean out every bit of caulking that is left both on the underside of the sink rim, and the counter. You’ll need a clean surface to work with to get a watertight seal when you reset the sink. Purchase a clear silicone and put a good bead onto the counter, then reset the sink. I recommend giving this at least overnight, before any water may be introduced to the area. You should then be good to go for a long time. Best of luck.
Robert Lamoureux has more than 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at [email protected].
