Restoration · 2026-06-28

Small Leak Under a Sink: What to Dry, Photograph, and Watch

The first hour after a small leak is about stopping water, documenting damage, and reducing moisture.

For a small under-sink leak, the first step is to stop the water source if you can do so safely. Use the fixture shutoff valve when it is accessible, move stored items out of the cabinet, and keep people away from any wet electrical device or outlet.

Take clear photos before moving too much. Photograph the pipe area, cabinet base, nearby flooring, and anything stored below the sink. Good photos help you remember the starting point and explain the situation if you later need a plumber, restoration company, property manager, or insurer.

Dry the visible water, open the cabinet doors, and keep air moving. If the leak may have reached drywall, flooring, or a wall cavity, or if odor or staining appears later, treat it as a moisture problem that needs closer inspection instead of assuming it is solved.