Couldn’t agree more about water finding its way—been there, done that. I get wanting to save money, but once you see “
,” it’s not worth the risk. Sometimes paying a pro upfront saves a lot in repairs down the road.swollen particle board or that dreaded mildew smell
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, not every leak needs a pro right away. If it's just a loose fitting or a worn-out washer, that's a quick fix for most folks. Sure, if you see swelling or smell mildew, that's another story... but sometimes DIY is all you need if you catch it early.
but honestly, not every leak needs a pro right away. If it's just a loose fitting or a worn-out washer, that's a quick fix for most folks.
Yeah, I tend to agree with this—there’s a lot under the kitchen sink that’s pretty straightforward if you’re willing to get your hands dirty. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic over a slow drip, and half the time it’s just the P-trap needing a little tightening or a washer that’s seen better days. Those are usually 10-minute jobs if you’ve got basic tools.
That said, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that it pays to look for signs of bigger trouble before calling it “fixed.” If there’s any swelling in the cabinet base or that musty smell creeping in, like you mentioned, that’s when I stop messing around and get someone out. Water damage sneaks up on you fast—one small leak can turn into warped cabinets or even mold behind the wall if you miss it.
One thing I always check: run water for a few minutes after tightening things up. Sometimes what looks like a simple fix holds for an hour and then starts leaking again overnight. Had that happen once—thought I’d nailed it, only to come back the next day to find everything soaked again. Now I leave paper towels under the pipes for a day or two just to be sure.
DIY is great for the easy stuff, but as soon as there’s anything weird—like rust on the pipes or water pooling where it shouldn’t be—I’d rather pay for peace of mind than risk tearing out cabinets later. Guess it comes down to knowing when to quit while you’re ahead...
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’m all about saving a few bucks, but I’ve learned (after a minor flood…) to go step-by-step before calling it good. First thing—I always dry everything off, tighten connections, and swap out washers or O-rings if they look sketchy. Then I’ll run water for at least five minutes, like you said, and check for any drips. If there’s even a hint of moisture on the paper towel trick overnight, I know something’s still up. One extra thing I do: check for greenish corrosion around fittings—it’s usually a sign the problem’s deeper than just a loose nut. At that point, yeah, better safe than sorry.
That greenish corrosion is the sneaky villain of plumbing, for sure. I used to think a little tightening would fix anything, but after chasing a slow leak for days, I learned the hard way—sometimes it’s not just the washer or O-ring. If you spot that corrosion, it could mean the pipe itself is on its last legs. I’d say, if you’re seeing that and still getting moisture after all the usual fixes, it’s probably time to call in backup. No shame in letting the pros handle it before your kitchen turns into a wading pool.
