Many people don’t realize how plumbing can make their lives difficult until they are stuck with one or two major plumbing issues. A professional can probably take care of any issue you have, but you can’t call the plumber to fix the same sink every few days. This is why damage prevention procedures and routine maintenance can go a long way in maintaining the condition of the pipes in your house. The kitchen’s pipe system is known to face a lot of complications as it’s always in use. We’ve collected a few of the most important tips that can protect your kitchen’s pipes and sink from a myriad of problems.
Keep Your Plumber Close
Some problems like fixing leakage and the garbage disposal can actually get worse if you don’t fix them properly. You won’t believe how easy it is for your pipes to get clogged if not taken care of regularly. And so, for your home drains to function effectively, you need to hire a licensed plumber every once in a while to conduct routine maintenance and checkups, in order to keep your pipes in tiptop shape. Experts will also give you some tips on how to preserve kitchen faucets longer and prevent leakage. You wouldn’t have to look far for a reliable one as there are online directories, even websites that can help with finding a qualified plumber near you.
Avoid Overusing the Drain
Clogged kitchen drains are usually the most common problem in any kitchen. Since not only fluids go down the kitchen drain, but also chunks of food and grease, it’s very easy for the drain to get clogged. A lot of people think of it as a way to dispose of excess food and leftovers, especially if they have garbage disposal; however, you should try to minimize the number of big food particles and oily/greasy fluids that enter your drain. If it’s already clogged, using a pipe snake is usually your best bet to get the most out of what’s blocking the drains in there.
Fix Slow Drains Quickly
Your kitchen drains probably won’t get all clogged up instantly; the process usually takes some time for the accumulated debris to clog it completely. Once you start noticing that your drains are taking longer to clear water, you should be proactive and try fixing the problem before it escalates. A common household measure is to use vinegar and hot water to dissolve most of the debris and grease that could be causing a blockage down the drain. Alternatively, there are kitchen drain cleaners that you can purchase from your local retail store; however, they’re much more abrasive than DIY methods, so make sure that your kitchen is well-ventilated when you use them.
Kitchen Faucet Maintenance
Kitchen faucets may last for a long time, but if you let them fall into disrepair without providing proper maintenance they can start causing you a lot of problems. Leaky faucets are known to be one of the major sources of water waste, increasing household bills substantially. The most basic faucet maintenance routine is making sure that the aerator is clean and unblocked. The symptoms of a blocked faucet aerator are usually low water pressure and leaks that result in lime buildup and other debris that could be blocking the net-like material of the aerator.
You can manually clean the aerator before the problem starts costing you much. First, remove the aerator from the faucet body by unscrewing it in a counterclockwise fashion. You may need to use a pair of pliers coupled with masking tape to get the aerator of the faucet. Once you’ve extracted the aerator, use a small brush and some vinegar to clean it thoroughly from sediment and grease. Be sure to reassemble it back in the exact same order it was taken off in.
Get Familiar with Location of Valves and Pipes
Whether you’ve lived in your current home for a while or you just moved in, knowing the location of the primary shut-off valve is a must. The shut-off valve can prevent a lot of damage if once you start suspecting a leak, or when you’re planning to leave the house for a while. You should also know the locations of your pipelines to avoid puncturing them by mistake while you’re doing any maintenance work around the house. You can either use a stud finder or an endoscopic camera to find out the exact location of any pipes behind the walls.
Erring on the side of safety is recommended over ignoring problems altogether when it comes to plumbing. Leaks, odors, and clogging are all problems that can create a wide net of inconvenience for everyone in the house. Proactiveness and routine maintenance are going to be your best weapons against kitchen plumbing issues.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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