Kitchen Sink & Dishwasher Leak Water Damage
Kitchen leaks hide under cabinets and flooring for weeks. Here's how to find the source and check for damage you can't see.
Stop it now: close the shutoff valves under the sink (hot and cold, turn clockwise). For a dishwasher, the valve is usually under the sink too, or turn off the main. Unplug the dishwasher or flip its breaker.
Common leak sources
| Location | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Under the sink, constant drip | Loose or failed supply line, worn shutoff valve |
| Under the sink, only when draining | Loose drain trap or garbage disposal seal |
| In front of the dishwasher | Worn door gasket, overfilling, wrong detergent |
| Under or behind the dishwasher | Failed supply line, drain hose or pump |
| Behind the fridge | Ice maker or water dispenser line |
Check for hidden damage
- Sink cabinet floor: swollen, soft or delaminating particleboard
- Flooring in front of the cabinets: lifting laminate, cupping hardwood, loose tile
- Under the dishwasher: water often runs under cabinets and flooring where you can't see it
- The ceiling or crawl space below, if the kitchen is over a basement or crawl space
- Musty smell when you open the sink cabinet
When to call a pro
- Water spread under flooring or cabinets
- The leak went on for days or weeks before you found it
- You see mold or smell mustiness
- The ceiling below is stained
Restoration companies can dry under cabinets with specialized equipment, sometimes without removing them, and check moisture under the floor.
Prevention: replace plastic supply lines with braided stainless steel, put a leak sensor under the sink and behind the dishwasher, and check under the sink every month or two.
Frequently asked questions
Can water-damaged kitchen cabinets be saved?
Solid wood cabinets often can be dried. Particleboard bases that swelled usually need replacing. Catching the leak early makes the difference.
Will insurance cover a dishwasher leak?
Sudden failures are often covered for the resulting damage. Long-term slow leaks under the sink are frequently excluded as maintenance issues.
Water in your home? Get a local pro on the way.
Call and we'll connect you with an independent local water damage restoration company that serves your area. The referral is free, and many local companies answer around the clock.