A: Dear David, thanks for your confidence in me. You know I always tell it like it is, so I think you know what I'm about to say. I understand how you feel right now and you may be looking for someone to tell you something that you want to hear. Well, I can't do that. Sorry.

The only way I know to get the proper access to drain and water lines located under a concrete floor is to break open the floor and dig out around the pipes. Usually the access hole has to be larger than the problem area of the pipe so you can have room for repairs. In the kitchen this may include ripping out the base cabinets and you may also have to replace the entire finished floor so everything matches.

You may want to contact your insurance company to see if any of the work may be covered under your homeowners policy; this may help offset some of the costs. Also, get some estimates before you start this job.

Bottom line is that you need a working kitchen sink, and you'll need to have the money put aside for this job so you don't dig yourself into a hole!