Repairs and problems
Swollen worktops around a sink or tap
Where jobs go wrong
A small swelling that appears near the tap indicates water tracking down the spout base rather than a plumbing leak.
The short answer
Water gets in at the cut edges of a laminate worktop around the sink and tap. Once swollen, the damage cannot be reversed.
Likely causes
Cut edges should be fully sealed before the sink is fitted; unsealed cutouts are the most common failure point.
A small swelling that appears near the tap indicates water tracking down the spout base rather than a plumbing leak.
Questions we get asked
Can swelling be repaired?
Not really, the board has expanded. Replacement of the affected section is the honest answer.
How can it be prevented?
Sealing cut edges, keeping the tap base seal sound and wiping standing water at the joint.
Second opinion on worktop water damage
If you already have a quote or a design and something does not sit right, it is worth another set of eyes before work starts.