It starts small. A few drops. A bit of dampness at the back of the cabinet. You wipe it down and forget about it. But a week later, the wood under your sink is soft. There’s a weird smell. And that “tiny leak”? Yeah — it’s still leaking.
We see this every week in Sacramento homes: slow, hidden leaks under kitchen and bathroom sinks that have been quietly destroying cabinets, flooring, and even walls. And most of the time, the homeowner meant to call someone — they just didn’t think it was urgent.
At Golden Valley Plumbing, we’ve torn out enough moldy particleboard to say this with confidence: if there’s moisture under your sink, you should not wait.
Why it happens (and why it doesn’t stop on its own)
Leaks under sinks usually come from one of three places: the faucet connections, the drain assembly, or the shutoff valves. And while some leaks are steady and obvious, most are slow — just enough to soak things over time.
What makes them sneaky is that they often dry up by the time you open the cabinet. But trust us — the water was there. You can usually spot the signs: warped cabinet floor, peeling laminate, a musty smell, or visible corrosion on fittings.
And once moisture gets into the cabinet base, it spreads. Particleboard acts like a sponge. We’ve pulled out whole vanities in Sacramento homes that crumbled in our hands — all from a leak no one thought was a big deal.
Store-bought fixes don’t last
Yes, there are plenty of DIY videos showing how to “tighten the nut” or apply plumber’s putty. And sure, sometimes that buys you time. But more often, the leak comes back. Because when metal threads are worn, plastic fittings are cracked, or the pipe isn’t seated right — a temporary fix just isn’t enough.
We’ve seen folks apply five layers of tape, a rubber band, and a prayer — only to call us after everything finally gave way.
When we show up, here’s what we do
We don’t just patch leaks. We find the reason it started. Loose compression fittings? Bad P-trap alignment? Corroded valve? We’ve seen it all — and we carry the parts to replace what needs replacing right then and there.
In many cases, that includes repairing or replacing the garbage disposal or P-trap assembly — the most common source of those slow, hidden leaks.
Sometimes we’re in and out in under an hour. Sometimes it’s more involved — especially if there’s mold, cabinet damage, or signs the leak’s been going on for months.
Bottom line:
That “small leak” under your sink isn’t cute. It’s quietly ruining the inside of your home. If you live in Sacramento and notice moisture, weird smells, or warped wood under the cabinet, call Golden Valley Plumbing. The sooner we stop it, the less you’ll have to rip out later.
If you’re dealing with a leak in Sacramento or a nearby city like Citrus Heights, Roseville, or Elk Grove, you’re in our service area. We handle everything from small drips to major pipe repairs—all with fast response times and fair pricing.
