Sink Repair & Replacement in Northern California

The usual sources are a worn supply line, a leaking shutoff valve, loose or cracked drain slip nuts, a failing P-trap, a basket strainer seal, the faucet base, or a garbage disposal or dishwasher connection. Dry the cabinet, run the water, and watch where drips start. Shut off the valves under the sink if the leak is from the supply side.

The P-trap under the sink holds water that blocks sewer gas. A sink that is rarely used can let that water evaporate, so running it for a minute often fixes the smell. If the odor keeps coming back, the cause is usually buildup in the drain, a leaking trap, or a venting problem that a plumber should check.

Kitchen sinks usually slow down from grease and food buildup, and bathroom sinks from hair and soap scum. Cleaning the trap or the pop-up stopper often fixes a single slow sink. If several drains are slow, or the sink backs up into the one next to it, the clog is deeper in the drain line and needs professional drain cleaning.

Repair makes sense for leaks at the drain, trap, supply lines, or valves, which are usually inexpensive to fix. Replacement is usually better when the sink is cracked, chipped through the finish, rusting, or stained beyond cleaning, or when you are updating the look. Earl's Plumbing will tell you honestly which makes more sense.

If they are old multi-turn valves, it is a good idea. Older shutoffs often seize or start leaking when you finally try to close them, usually in an emergency. Replacing them with quarter-turn valves and new braided supply lines when a sink or faucet is serviced costs little and protects your cabinet and floor.

Earl's Plumbing installs and replaces kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks including drop-in, vessel, pedestal, and wall-mounted styles, plus laundry and utility sinks and bar sinks. We connect the drain, trap, supply lines, and shutoffs, and we can install a new faucet or garbage disposal at the same visit so everything is done in one trip.

Yes, in most homes. A laundry or utility sink needs a nearby drain and hot and cold water lines, so the cost depends on how close those are to where you want the sink. Earl's Plumbing will look at the space, explain the options for connecting it, and give you a free quote before any work starts.

It depends on what's leaking or broken. Replacing a trap or supply line is a small job, and a new sink with new valves is a bigger one. We don't charge a service call fee. We come out, find the problem, and give you a free quote before we start, and online customers get $25 off.