How to Repair A Leaky Bathroom Sink

You don't need to be a pro to fix a leaky bathroom sink  

Learning how to repair a leaky bathroom sink is easy. It does not even require professional plumbing experience. There are many causes that could result to a leaky sink in the bathroom but they can be fixed using do-it-yourself tools. Some leaks may only require twisting the connections with your bare hand to stop the leakage. Before you start with the repair work you need to first turn off your water supply connection and close the sink drain. To avoid scratching the fixture you can cover your tools with a duct tape. Clear the area where the repair will be carried out in order to give you more room to move around and to assemble the tools you need. Using vinegar and table salt wash out any residue and dirt on the faucet and sink, scrubbing them off with a scouring pad. Wipe dry the washed area.


You can repair the leak coming from under the handle by prying the cap off above the handle using a knife to expose a screw that holds the handle securely in place. You can undo the screw and remove the handle. Just underneath the handle is a valve that you should tighten using a wrench.




Leaks coming from the base of the bathroom sink will require the removal of the nuts along the stem of the faucet just underneath the sink. This can be done only on the type of sinks designed with the handle and faucet mounted as a single unit. If the faucet can be removed independently from the sink’s handle, you need to unscrew the ring on the base of the faucet as well as the base on the sink top. The ring may be tight so you can use the wrench to loosen it and finish removing by twisting it with your hand. Remove the stem from the sink top.

There is a rubber ring at the base of the faucet stem and you should check it if it is worn out already and needs to be replaced. When you replace the ring, make sure to coat it with non-toxic and heat-proof grease. Clean the insides of the faucet before putting the parts back together again. If the pipe has a crack you need to replace it. Even a hairline crack could cause a significant leak that needs complete replacement of the pipe. Pipes are inexpensive and you can even buy them with a kit. When you are done with the repair work, turn on the faucet to ensure that there is no longer a leak in the bathroom sink. You can always buy do-it-yourself repair kits for doing the repair work to fix the leakage.