Plumbing & Irrigation
Plumbing & IrrigationUpdated 10/1/2026

How to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Sink Pipe (P-Trap Replacement)

A drip under the sink usually means a failed P-trap. Swapping it is a quick, inexpensive fix that stops water damage to your cabinet.

Plumbing & Irrigation
How-To Guides
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
45 minutes
Budget
$
Safety
Low

Tools needed

  • Slip-joint channel pliers
  • Heavy-duty utility bucket
  • Rags

Materials needed

  • Plastic P-trap kit
  • Plumber's thread tape

Step-by-step

  1. 1

    Clear the cabinet and place a bucket under the trap to catch water.

  2. 2

    Loosen the slip-joint nuts by hand or with channel pliers and remove the old trap.

  3. 3

    Clean the pipe ends and compare the new trap for a matching fit.

  4. 4

    Hand-tighten the new trap with its washers seated correctly, adding thread tape on threaded joints.

  5. 5

    Run water and watch for drips, snugging nuts a quarter turn if needed.

Common mistakes

  • • Overtightening plastic nuts and cracking them
  • • Reusing worn washers that won't seal

Maintenance & next steps

Keep the cabinet clear so you spot any new drip early.

When to call a professional

For leaks inside the wall, metal trap corrosion, or persistent drips after replacement.

Editor's note: This is instructional content for How to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Sink Pipe (P-Trap Replacement). Replace with your own firsthand experience and photos before publishing.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Related Products

Shop the Whole Project

12 items

Save every tool and material for this guide to your project list in one tap.

Snappy Trap Universal Kitchen Sink Drain Kit
Channellock 12-Inch Tongue and Groove Slip-Joint Pliers
VOTMELL 8 Rolls 1/2 Inch(W) X 520 Inches(L) Teflon Plumbers Tape,Pipe Sealing & Plumbing Thread Tape,PTFE Water Sealant Seal for Shower Head,White
Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector
Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensor 3-Pack
APEC Water Systems ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
Under-Sink Leak Mat Tray
Fluidmaster 400ARHR High Performance Toilet Repair Kit
FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Tool
InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP Food Waste Disposer
Oatey Plumber's Putty
DURATECH Aluminum Straight Pipe Wrench
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Snappy Trap Universal Kitchen Sink Drain Kit
Core item
Snappy Trap

Snappy Trap Universal Kitchen Sink Drain Kit

Best for: Replacing a leaking P-trap

Universal • no-measure drain kit

Channellock 12-Inch Tongue and Groove Slip-Joint Pliers
Tool
Channellock

Channellock 12-Inch Tongue and Groove Slip-Joint Pliers

Best for: Loosening slip-joint nuts

12 in • tongue & groove

Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector
Core item
Moen

Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector

Best for: Catching leaks before they flood

Wi-Fi • instant phone alerts

Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensor 3-Pack
Core item
Govee

Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensor 3-Pack

Best for: Covering multiple high-risk spots

3-pack • Wi-Fi + app alerts

APEC Water Systems ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
Core item
APEC Water Systems

APEC Water Systems ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Best for: Clean drinking water under the sink

5-stage • 50 GPD

Under-Sink Leak Mat Tray
Accessory
FloodFrame

Under-Sink Leak Mat Tray

Best for: Containing drips under the cabinet

Raised-edge • fits standard cabinets

Fluidmaster 400ARHR High Performance Toilet Repair Kit
Core item
Fluidmaster

Fluidmaster 400ARHR High Performance Toilet Repair Kit

Best for: Fixing a running or hissing toilet

Fill valve + flapper • universal

FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Tool
Core item
FlexiSnake

FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Tool

Best for: Pulling hair clogs from shower drains

Flexible • barbed micro-hooks

InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP Food Waste Disposer
Core item
InSinkErator

InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP Food Waste Disposer

Best for: Grinding food waste at the sink

1/2 HP • continuous feed

Oatey Plumber's Putty
Consumable
Oatey

Oatey Plumber's Putty

Best for: Sealing the sink flange

Stain-free • reusable seal

DURATECH Aluminum Straight Pipe Wrench
Tool
DURATECH

DURATECH Aluminum Straight Pipe Wrench

Best for: Gripping and turning pipe

Lightweight aluminum • adjustable