There are two big advantages when you know how to properly maintain your kitchen plumbing: one, you are able to save money by not having constant repairs; and two, you are able to run your kitchen smoothly. This article discusses steps by which you can achieve these two benefits when you keep an eye out for your pipes.
Table of Contents
Take Care of your Drains
At some point in time, your kitchen sink will definitely clog. There are several ways you can go about cleaning it. One of the most common would be pouring boiling water down the sink and seeing what it flushes out. In the instance that standing water is present, try removing as much as you can before pouring at least four cups of boiling water. A secret most homeowners don’t know is the power of salt against stubborn clogs. Before pouring water, pour down approximately one-half cup of salt and then flush with hot water to clean your pipes. You can also opt for bleach or drain cleaner if you sense that a blockage is about to form. But just remember that when you choose to pour drain cleaner down the sink, do not immediately follow it up with boiling water because this may cause a toxic chemical reaction. If ever boiling water and salt doesn’t do the trick, a plumber’s snake can force out the clog. This might require more effort as you will first need to disassemble the plumbing under the kitchen sink. When this is done, slide the snake up the drain and slowly pull it back to catch whatever is making your pipes clog.
Look After your Water Pressure
Make sure that your water pressure is turned up to the right levels. This plumbing maintenance tip is often overlooked, and more often than not, poor water pressure results in blockage formation because water is not running through the pipes with enough force to clear it of debris. But be careful, you might risk causing more damage to your drainage if you turn your water pressure too high as that could lead to a breakdown of your plumbing system. If you are absolutely certain that your water pressure at home is too low, then that’s the only time you should adjust your water pressure.
Pay Attention to your Faucets
There are so many kinds of kitchen faucets, they come in varied shapes, sizes, styles and finishes. So that you can choose the best one for you, check the plumbing under your kitchen sink. You should also consider your kitchen sink water shutoff valve. For older homes, a valve connection might differ from modern plumbing fixtures, so that means you may need to replace both your water shutoff valve and your kitchen sink.
Be Cautious of your Garbage Disposal
In order to maintain the effectiveness of a garbage disposal, it must be cleaned regularly. This isn’t very complicated, all you have to do is pour equal parts baking soda and white vinegar down your disposal, cap the drain and wait for the fizzing to end. When it does end, run hot water through and turn it on to flush everything down. Any grease and food particles that got stuck will be broken up by the chemical reaction so that your disposal runs smoothly. Moreover, pay attention to the rubber drain cover at the top of the disposal. Take it off, scrub the button of the rubber flaps using a sponge that’s soaped. This will help to avoid food smells from lingering. You can also freshen up your kitchen sink plumbing by running small pieces of citrus peels through the garbage disposal. Very simple ways of maintaining your garbage disposal includes not putting any food down the drain, and remembering to never put your hands down there.
Call for Professional Help
If you want all of these taken care of, and to ensure effective drain cleaning for clear pipes in the long run, employ professional drain cleaning service. Doing so is more cost-effective than hiring someone to fix your damaged pipes. There is also better peace of mind in the idea that your plumbing has been professionally cleaned.
To reiterate, your plumbing system will run smoothly and you won’t have to spend much for bills when you properly maintain the pipes in your kitchen. You can do this by taking care of your drains, having the right amount of water pressure, using the right kind of faucet, regularly cleaning your drains, and relying on the experts for professional pipe maintenance.
