You must maintain your home’s plumbing if you want it to last. Unfortunately, one of the most neglected aspects of house ownership is kitchen plumbing upkeep. Follow these simple maintenance guidelines to avoid neglecting your kitchen plumbing.
1. Look Out for Leaks
Every time you go into the kitchen, be on the lookout for leaks. Although you might usually ignore leaks, doing so comes at a cost. Even a small leak can waste significant water and cause your water bill to rise. One small leak in your faucet may waste as much as eight gallons of water in a day. Other appliances, like dishwashers and garbage disposals, can also leak.
If you experience a decrease in water pressure, see a puddle on the floor, or have a high water bill, you could have a leak in your system. Call a plumber for help before you need a major repair.
2. Clear Out Drains
One of the most common kitchen plumbing problems is clogging drains. Fortunately, clogs are typically easy to fix. If your sink, dishwasher, or garbage disposal is clogged, try cleaning it with a plunger or similar tool. If that doesn’t work, try pouring a cup or two of baking soda and then letting it sit for a few hours. You can also try boiling water. Even if these methods don’t work, you can still avoid a major problem later by getting a drain snake.
3. Replace Old Faucets
Like any other home appliance, faucets don’t last forever. To ensure you don’t have problems with your faucets, replace your old one with a new one. After a few years, old faucets will start to leak and make strange noises. Replacing your faucets can be an inexpensive way to upgrade your kitchen.
4. Keep the Water Scale at Bay
If you have hard water, you’ll have to deal with mineral deposits. The most common of these is limescale and rust. Limescale can form on faucets. If it’s cleaned off regularly, you won’t have to worry about it corroding them.
Rust is another problem you may encounter. If you notice that water is not flowing through your sinks as smoothly as it should, use vinegar to dissolve the rust. For additional tips, you can hire a plumber to clear the corrosion out of your pipes.
5. Check Your Water Pressure
Not noticing water pressure changes is a common problem for many homeowners. To ensure you won’t have to deal with decreased water pressure in the kitchen, check the pressure regularly. If you notice a problem, call a plumber. The problem could be as minor as a low level of water pressure or as big as a leak in your pipes.
6. Don’t Let Your Garbage Disposal Grow Stale
With frequent use, garbage disposals can get gummed up with food. If you notice that your disposal is not working as well as it used to, try cleaning it with dish soap and water. If that doesn’t work, you should call a plumber to clear it out.
7. Take the Time to Winterize Your Plumbing
During the winter months, the pipes in your kitchen can freeze. This can lead to the pipes breaking, which can cause significant water damage. To avoid this problem, you should drain the water from your sink and faucets. Leaving running water can cause the pipes to freeze. You can also use a pipe insulator or wrap your pipes in a blanket to help keep them warm.
Conclusion
To keep your kitchen plumbing in tip-top shape, you need to perform a few routine maintenance tasks. Following these maintenance tips can help you avoid significant plumbing problems and save a lot of money in the long run.
Professor Plumb is a plumbing and drain service in Columbiana, AL, that has been in business for 20 years. We have a team of licensed experts bonded and insured to fix plumbing and gas problems in your home or commercial space. Call us now!