Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance Tips 

Any experienced homeowner will tell you, basic kitchen sink plumbing maintenance is essential knowledge to have if you want to keep your kitchen plumbing repair bills low and your kitchen operating smoothly. The basics of how to plumb a kitchen sink include understanding how your faucet works, handling basic clogs, and garbage disposal function and repair. If you know what to watch out for, not only can you fix that basic issues that arise with kitchen sink plumbing, but you know when to call an experienced kitchen sink plumber, like Blue Mills Val Gross Plumbing.

Kitchen faucets come in many shapes and sizes, finishes and styles. The first thing to know if you are in the market for new kitchen plumbing fixtures is the plumbing under the kitchen sink. Every kitchen sink is different. Some have four mounting holes, others have one. You should also make note of your kitchen sink water shut-off valve. If you have an older home, the valve connection may be a different size from new kitchen plumbing fixtures, which means you may need to replace your water shut-off valve as well as your kitchen sink.

While you are looking at the seemingly endless options of kitchen plumbing fixtures on the market today, take both form and function into consideration. In general, you want your new fixture to match your existing kitchen hardware. Unless you want to buy all new drawer pulls and other kitchen hardware, make sure you are buying a kitchen faucet that has a similar finish as your current kitchen. Function is especially important when buying a new kitchen faucet. The kitchen sink is so frequently used, it is critical you find one that you can operate with ease. If you don’t want to lean over the sink basin every time you need to operate the sprayer, try looking at a faucet that has the sprayer built into it, so you can simply pull down to spray your dishes.

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your kitchen plumbing fixtures, chrome is the best option for finish. Not only does it look shiny with little effort, it looks cleaner, longer since it does not reveal as many fingerprints and water spots as some other finishes. Ceramic valves are the best option on the market today for reducing faucet spout drips, and they usually cost about the same price.

It is almost guaranteed that your kitchen sink will clog at some point in time. Not all kitchen sink drain plumbing requires an immediate visit from a professional, though. There are a few things you can do to fix a kitchen sink clog before outside help is needed. The simplest option is to pour boiling water down your kitchen drain. If there is standing water in your sink basin, try and remove as much as you can beforehand, then pour at least four cups of boiling water down the drain. For stubborn clogs, you can pour about a half cup of salt down the drain first, then the boiling water and flush the whole thing with hot water the clear the pipes.

Cleaning your garbage disposal should be done on a regular basis in order to maintain its effectiveness. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task and simply requires some elementary school science. If you ever made a volcano in grade school, put that knowledge to use again. Pour equal parts baking soda and white vinegar down your disposal, cap the drain and wait for the fizzing to stop. The chemical reaction helps break up any stuck-on grease and food particles so your disposal can run smoothly. After the fizzing stops, run hot water through the disposal and turn it on to flush everything down.

It is also helpful to pay attention to the rubber drain cover at the top of the disposal. Ensuring the disposal is off, scrub the bottom of the rubber flaps with a soapy sponge to avoid any lingering food smells. Running a handful of citrus peels, cut smaller, through the garbage disposal is a great way to freshen up your kitchen sink plumbing.

Garbage disposal repair requires a bit more effort, but basic troubleshooting can be done without knowing how to plumb a kitchen sink.

• Humming: If your garbage disposal is humming, this is a sign that something is stuck and won’t allow the blades to turn. After you ensure the power is disconnected to the disposal, address the garbage disposal plumbing under the kitchen sink and see if you can dislodge the stuck item.
  
• Drains Slowly: A slow draining disposal is usually the sign of a clog. Again making sure the power is disconnected, check the drain trap for a clog. If you can’t find one there, use your plumber’s snake to clear the drain line that goes into the wall. It is important you NEVER put chemical drain cleaner down your disposal, as this can erode the pipes and void your warranty.
  
• Leaking: Leaking can happen in several locations in your garbage disposal. The most common places are where the disposal connects to the sink, the hose that connects to the dishwasher and the hose that takes the waste from the disposal to the drain system. If the leak is because of a hose, usually you just need to tighten the clamp or bolts that hold the hose in place. If the sink connection is the source of the leak, applying some fresh plumber’s putty can typically fix this common kitchen sink plumbing issue.
  

The plumbing under the kitchen sink doesn’t have to remain a mystery. Understanding the basics of kitchen sink plumbing is an excellent way to feel accomplished and take ownership of your home. You don’t need to know how to plumb a kitchen sink to know how to fix the simple problems. And when your kitchen sink plumbing has more than just a simple problem, you will know when it is time to call Blue Mills Plumbing.