Let’s talk about kitchen and bath under sink storage. We all have plenty of items stored under the sinks in our homes. That’s a natural place to put cleaners and other items out of site out of mind till we need them. Out of sight out of mind, say that again, out of sight out of mind.

We never think about what may be going on under there till we have to clean out or search for an item or notice a strange smell. Leaks often can happen with plumbing under sinks without you knowing for a very long time. By the time you notice a lot of damage can be done because the water hides between all that is stored or inside something. Water mostly does damage to the floor of the cabinet making it soggy then it tends to warp ,sag and smell.

The actual leak may be an easy fix such as a simple turn of a threaded nut or compression seal. The damage caused by such can be extensive and unsanitary. Mold, mildew and repair costs will add up.

 As an inspector I see  this in many homes.

The other issue with under sink storage is something else that leaks such as a caustic cleaner and mixes with water and travels eventually corroding a component or something stored. An easy solution to avoid long term damage and expenses associated with leaks is to store items in a transparent plastic storage bin.

A few dollars at the local discount store and you have some cheap insurance and some handy storage for items under the sink and chances are you will catch that leak before it does major damage.

Thank you,

Wayne Collier

Fl lic Home Inspector