Keeping Up With Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

Have you been facing trouble with your kitchen plumbing system? This may be due to the need for proper maintenance.

Keeping everything in check might seem like a significant task, but you would be surprised to know that ensuring everything works in order is easy. That’s why we have curated this guide with all the information you need to start!

Keeping Up With Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

1. Keep An Eye Out For Leaks

Leaks can sometimes be challenging to spot, which leads to them being unintentionally ignored for a long time. But ignoring a leak can only cause problems for you in the future. And any water-based appliance in your home is vulnerable to developing a leak.

If you notice that the water pressure has reduced suddenly, there is water accumulation on the floor, your water bill is higher than usual, or there’s a sound of water dripping, chances are there’s a leak.

Apart from creating a mess, a leak can lead to a significant waste of water, adding to your water bill and damaging other nearby structures. So, if you suspect one, call a professional plumber to help you before matters get worse.

2. Cleaning The Drains

Another thing usually ignored in kitchen plumbing maintenance is cleaning the drains. You might have a clog if you’ve noticed a change in the water pressure or if water drains out slower than before.

If you ignore the clog, more gunk and waste will accumulate, making the clog much more intense. It can even cause leaks or pipe bursts, leading to flooding. This is why cleaning the drains is extremely important.

Thankfully, there are many ways to clean a drain line. You can do it yourself by opening the drain, checking for clogs and using a drain snake to remove them. However, you may have to be quite careful if the pipes are too old; otherwise, you can damage them. Consider cleaning your plumbing vent as well to ensure there are no blockages. You can also call a professional plumber to help you do the job efficiently.

3. Maintaining The Drain

If you want to avoid cleaning your drain now and then, you should be careful not to pour things down the drain that will get it clogged. For instance, disposing of grease, paper, hair, or large food particles in the drain can cause it to harden around pipes, eventually leading to a clog that makes water passing through it difficult.

Make sure you dispose of grease and food waste correctly and only pour liquids or other things that would not cause a clog down your drain.

If you’re worried that someone may pour food waste down your drain, you can use a filter. The filter will catch any food particles and only let liquid pass through. Remember that grease is a hot liquid that can still pass through a filter.

4. Proper Garbage Disposal

It might be hard to take steps to maintain your garbage disposal device, as it looks like a “tough nut” that can handle anything, but that’s not the case. Its sharp blades cannot handle fibrous foods or hard textures, such as that of coffee grinds. So, when you pay attention to what goes down your drain, you should also be concerned about what goes in your garbage disposal.

Ensure you dispose of items your garbage disposal cannot handle in your regular trash cans. This can save garbage disposal from trouble and prevent sewer line repair.

5. Say No To Drain Cleaners

In the case of slow-draining sinks and drains, your initial reaction may be to run to the store and buy a drain cleaner. However, there might be better things to do, as these drain cleaners have many harsh chemicals that can damage the pipes. Instead, opt for a less harmful method like a drain snake, or call your plumber, who can solve the issue effectively.

You can use these cleaners occasionally, but using them regularly will invariably cause a leak or lead your pipes to corrode and break.

6. Insulating The Pipes

Winters are hard on everything, including your drain pipes, which will be subjected to harsh cold weather when the temperature drops. And if you fail to insulate the pipes, it can cause them to freeze. The freezing then ends up causing a lot of pressure and build-up, leading the pipes to burst, which can be pretty expensive to repair.

To prevent this, you can insulate the pipes by wrapping them with any material or substance that provides insulation, like polyethylene foam, fibreglass and self-seal rubber. This can be done DIY or by hiring professionals, especially if you haven’t done it before.

7. Check The Water Pressure

Keep checking your water pressure when you look for leaks in your kitchen. You can perform a pressure test with a few simple tools. On average, the water pressure of your taps and other devices should be around 40 to 50 PSI.

If the water pressure is any higher than the said amount, your pipes may be subjected to damage, and the joints could weaken, leading to a leak. Similarly, if the water pressure is lower than average, it can be frustrating to use your appliances.

Fluctuating water pressure can be caused by leaks and blockages in your kitchen, affecting the whole house’s water supply. Besides, this issue can damage certain water fixtures and appliances. So, fixing any leaks or blocks is imperative.

8. Get Professional Help

Besides checking your water fixtures, a good idea would be to call a professional at least once a year. A professional can inspect for matters you may not usually spot to ensure you don’t face any plumbing issues in the long run.

Don’t Risk Plumbing Problems In Your Kitchen!

If you want your home to function well, you must keep everything in order. This also includes your kitchen plumbing system.

And if you need professional help, WP Plumbing Box Hill experts are here to offer the required services. We function 24 hours, seven days a week, and provide same-day responses for tackling kitchen plumbing issues like leaking pipe or clogged pipes and malfunctioning garbage disposals.