Leaks at Stop Valves and Supply Tubes

If water is dripping onto the floor of a cabinet below a sink, leaky supply tubes may be the cause. More likely, however, a stop valve or supply-tube connection is the culprit.

To find the source of a leak, shine a bright flashlight into the cabinet and feel the pipes and tubes, stopping to dry your hand every so often. You can also dry the area, place dry newspaper under the suspect plumbing, and watch for spots of water.

A solid chrome-plated copper supply tube looks and feels more stable than a flexible braided tube. But the solid tube is actually more likely to develop a leak because it is inflexible. When bumped a braided tube is less likely to be damaged. Still many people prefer the appearance of a solid tube.

Checklist

Time
Less than an hour to tighten nuts or install a new supply tube

Tools
Adjustable wrench, basin wrench, tubing bender, tubing cutter

Skills
Measuring and cutting a tube, connecting a compression fitting

Prep
Place a bucket or towel below the leaking plumbing; make the area comfortable for working.

Materials
Solid or braided supply tube