Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Basic kitchen sink plumbing maintenance is essential knowledge to have if you want to keep your kitchen plumbing repair bills low and your kitchen running smoothly, as any experienced homeowner will tell you. Understanding how your faucet works, dealing with basic clogs, and garbage disposal function and repair are all part of learning how to plumb a kitchen sink. Regular plumbing maintenance tips can save you time and money in the long run.
Not only can you fix basic kitchen sink plumbing issues if you know what to look for, but you’ll also know when to call an experienced kitchen sink plumber like Emergency Plumbers Sydney. Here are 4 kitchen plumbing maintenance tips:
#1 Tip – Kitchen Faucet
Kitchen faucets are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, finishes, and styles. If you’re looking for new kitchen plumbing fixtures, the first thing to look for is the plumbing under the sink. Each kitchen sink is unique. There are four mounting holes on some, and only one on others. Make a note of your kitchen sink’s water shut-off valve as well. If you live in an older home, the valve connection may be different from new kitchen plumbing fixtures, necessitating the replacement of both the water shut-off valve and the kitchen sink. Insulating exposed pipes is a valuable plumbing maintenance tip, especially in colder climates, to prevent freezing.
# 2 – Kitchen Clog
Your kitchen sink will almost certainly clog at some point in the future. However, not all kitchen sink drain plumbing issues necessitate an immediate visit from a professional. When it comes to plumbing maintenance tips for garbage disposals, remember to grind food scraps in small batches with plenty of cold water running.
Before calling for help, there are a few things you can do to clear a clogged kitchen sink. Pouring boiling water down your kitchen drain is the simplest option. If your sink basin has any standing water, try to remove as much as possible before pouring at least four cups of boiling water down the drain. Pour about a half cup of salt down the drain first, then the boiling water, and finally flush the entire system with hot water to clear the pipes.
Garbage Disposal Cleaning
Cleaning your garbage disposal on a regular basis is necessary to keep it working properly. This doesn’t have to be a difficult task; all you need is a basic understanding of science from elementary school. Put that knowledge to good use if you ever made a volcano in elementary school. Fill your disposal with equal parts baking soda and white vinegar, close the drain, and wait for the fizzing to stop.
For stubborn clogs, you can try natural plumbing maintenance tips like a baking soda and vinegar solution before resorting to harsh chemicals. The chemical reaction breaks up any stuck-on grease and food particles, allowing your disposal to function properly. When the fizzing stops, turn on the disposal and run hot water through it to flush everything out.
Garbage Disposal Repair
If your garbage disposal is humming, it means something is stuck and the blades aren’t turning. After you’ve made sure the disposal’s power is turned off, look into the garbage disposal plumbing under the kitchen sink to see if you can get the stuck item out.
A clog is usually indicated by a slow draining disposal. Check the drain trap for a clog once more, making sure the power is turned off. If you can’t find one there, clear the drain line that goes into the wall with your plumber’s snake. Chemical drain cleaner should never be used in your disposal because it can erode the pipes and void your warranty.
Leaking can occur in a variety of places in your garbage disposal. The hose that connects the disposal to the sink, the hose that connects the dishwasher, and the hose that transports waste from the disposal to the drain system are the most common locations. If the leak is caused by a hose, tightening the clamp or bolts that hold the hose in place is usually all that is required.
If the leak originates at the sink connection, a fresh coat of plumber’s putty will usually solve this common kitchen sink plumbing problem. Lastly, familiarizing yourself with the location of your main water shut-off valve is a helpful plumbing maintenance tip in case of emergencies. By following these plumbing maintenance tips, you can prevent minor issues from turning into major headaches.