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Out of sight, but not out of mind

If you’re looking for leaks, don’t forget to check under or behind bathroom, kitchen and other fixtures.

The water supply line to plumbing fixtures is commonly overlooked when checking for leaks because it’s out of sight, tucked behind or underneath bathroom, kitchen and other fixtures.

But when you open the cabinets, it’s easy to spot any drips coming from supply lines. All you need is a flashlight.

Water supply lines consist of brass, copper and plastic, and the connection seals on either end can wear out over time. Here’s what to look for:

On metal supply lines, look for corrosion discoloration (green). Then feel for moisture at the points of connection and along the line itself. Look for wet spots at the bottom of bathroom and kitchen sink cabinets as well as the floor underneath the toilet tank bowl.

Plastic supply lines don’t show corrosion, so you just need to feel for moisture at the connection seal and along the line. As above, check the area around the line for wet spots.

For these large fixtures, you may need help checking them.

washing machine

Refrigerator ice machine supply line and washing machine: Pull them away from the wall about a foot, using a flashlight check the floor behind them for any wet areas.

If you happen to find a leaking supply line, start by hand tightening the connections to make sure they’re snug. Just be careful not to over-tighten, just until snug.

If that doesn’t work, you’ll want to replace the supply line as soon as possible before the leak worsens. It’s best to call a licensed plumber to do the repair for you if you’re unsure how to do it yourself.

Picture of Adolph Garcia
Adolph Garcia
Adolph ‘Marty’ Garcia is SAWS’ numero uno, top dog, the go-to guy for all things irrigation and has the experience (that would be 35 years) and professional memberships to back up such a stellar reputation. Not only is he a SAWS senior conservation consultant, but he also holds a Texas irrigators license, in addition to a plethora of other credentials. (Did we mention he’s a licensed plumber, too?) Teaching people about water issues is his passion, second only to America’s pastime – baseball – and the hot dogs, pretzels and beer that go with it.
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