Got a bill for $1,200 in water damage because I ignored a drip for 6 months

Everyone always says to fix leaks right away, but I figured a slow drip under the sink was no big deal. My water bill went up maybe $15 a month, so I thought I was saving money by not calling a plumber. Turns out that drip rotted through the particle board cabinet base and into the subfloor underneath. The $1,200 repair covered new flooring and a partial cabinet replacement. Has anyone else learned this lesson the hard way with a hidden leak?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_john26d ago

Yeah, that part about thinking you were saving money by not calling a plumber... I used to think that way too. This post definitely changed my mind though, a small fix now is way cheaper than ripping up your floor later.

nora_dixon14d ago

The mushrooming part gave me the chills.

sandrat2426d ago

Tape and glue fixes are a lie, that's the real lesson here. Caught my own slow drip under the bathroom vanity after about three months - by then the wood was already soft and starting to mushroom. Ended up spending $800 to replace the cabinet face and part of the vinyl floor. The trick is to check under sinks with a flashlight once a month, that saved me from a second disaster when I found a wet spot on the supply line before it got bad. Also, plastic drip trays from the hardware store are $5 and can catch small leaks before they soak the wood. Your story makes me feel a lot better about that $800, honestly, because yours is worse.