You may have a clog if water drains slowly from the kitchen sink or smells like sewage. Often, this is caused by food particles, grease, or soap scum that builds up in the p-trap under the sink. Regular maintenance and replacing old pipes can keep your kitchen plumbing in good working condition.
Kitchen Plumbing: Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are a household nuisance that can stop your kitchen from working at peak efficiency. While some clogs call for professional help, you can often handle these issues at home with simple tools.
According to plumbing company Urban Piping, sink clogs are most likely caused by foreign objects, food scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and grease. You can prevent these from happening in the first place by using your garbage disposal, placing a mesh cover over drain openings, and cleaning them regularly.
Another way to reduce clogs in your kitchen is by using a drain snake every week. The baking soda in the mixture absorbs odors, while the vinegar’s mild acid dissolves buildup and flushes away grime. Just make sure to use a power auger fitted with a foot-pedal switch so you can keep both hands free to guide it into the pipe.
A quick plunge with a standard household plunger may also work to dislodge small clogs. This technique is a great alternative to chemical cleaners, which can be messy and dangerous. Just ensure you have enough water in the sink to submerge the head of the plunger. Then, place it over the drain opening and squeeze up and down firmly, lifting only an inch or so on each downstroke.
If you’ve tried plunging and other DIY methods but still can’t get the drain to clear, it might be time to call a plumber. These specialists can use video inspections and specialized equipment to break up and clear pipes or even your garbage disposal cheaply and quickly.
To keep your drains in good shape, install a drain grate to catch large food particles, and place a trash can underneath the sink for discarded paper products, eggshells, and other small bits.
Never pour hot cooking oil or fat down your drains, as they can clog pipes when they harden. Instead, let them cool and then scoop them into a plastic bag for proper disposal. Installing your kitchen pipes professionally is also a good idea, as improper venting and slope can impact how well drains work.
Leaking Pipes
The pipes under sinks can get a lot of wear and tear, especially since hot and cold water constantly runs through them. This can cause the connections to loosen, leading to leaking. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to fix this problem without calling a plumber.
First, you can try tightening the slip nuts that connect the pipes. You can also try replacing the washers if they’re worn out. If the leak persists, you might need a new gasket or pipe repair sleeve.
Leaking pipes can cause significant damage to your home, so addressing them as soon as you notice them is essential. You can find a variety of pipe repair kits at your local hardware store that include the tools and materials you need to make the repairs. Some of these kits include silicon tape and PVC or metal pipe clamps that work well for repairing leaky joints. If these methods don’t work, contact a plumber for professional plumbing services.
If you’re experiencing low water pressure in your kitchen, it could be due to a mineral buildup on your faucet aerator. You can easily remove and clean the aerator to see if this fixes the problem. If the problem continues, it’s probably a good idea to call for plumbing services so that a plumber can check the drain ventilation system.
You might notice a gurgling sound when you drain your sink. This can indicate that sewage gases are escaping from the drain. This serious issue should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible.
Leaks from the drain are usually a sign of a broken seal or a hole in the drain line. This can be caused by corrosion, a clogged drain, or a plumber’s putty that has dried out. A plumber will be able to determine the cause of the leak and fix it as quickly as possible. This will prevent further damage to your home and expensive water bills. You might even notice a foul smell coming from your drain if it’s not properly ventilated.
Root Infestation
Your kitchen plumbing delivers clean water to your sink, but it’s also responsible for draining wastewater. When the pipes get infested with roots, it can be a major headache and a costly repair. The most common root issues involve drain lines that carry sullage or food waste from the sink to the sewer system or septic tank.
If the sullage line is not properly ventilated with a vent pipe, it can overflow and clog. A reputable plumber will make sure that this vital part of your kitchen plumbing is installed correctly and that it’s of sufficient size to handle the volume of sullage that drains from your sink.
Another common kitchen plumbing issue involves leaky or faulty faucets, resulting in high water bills and a mess to clean up. A professional plumber can replace your faucets with more durable models that will last longer and be less prone to leaks.
Kitchen pests such as ants, roaches, silverfish, and moths thrive on spilled food and debris that works through cracks, crevices, and behind cabinets. Regular sanitation will help prevent these infestations, as well as regular vacuuming and cleaning of remote areas where food is stored.
Many homeowners dread calling in a plumber to move their sink, install new faucets or reroute a kitchen pipe. But, with some planning, it’s possible to save money by taking on a few plumbing projects yourself.
Some basic and intermediate plumbing projects can be accomplished in under an hour with just a few tools. Others can be done over a weekend with a little more effort. For example, removing and replacing old lead pipes with PVC is a simple DIY project that can save you thousands in the long run.
Investing in kitchen plumbing upgrades can make your home more energy efficient and increase its resale value. Upgrades like PVC piping can also give you more flexibility for future renovations.
Laundry Room
A laundry room is a utilitarian space, but it doesn’t have to be unappealing. The same design principles that make sense in kitchens can transform this area into a place of efficiency and peace.
Separate laundry rooms from adjacent living spaces to avoid letting smells drift through the rest of the home. Use natural materials like wood or tile for countertops and floors to keep your laundry room clean and easy to maintain.
Countertops made of laminate, stone, or solid surfacing will resist stains from detergents and fabric softeners. Streamline plumbing lines by positioning the laundry sink close to the washer. Install a clothing rod nearby to hang items immediately after pressing and to prevent wrinkling. A separate storage area for cleaning products and other chemicals will reduce the need to leave the laundry room to get them.
Consider a floor drain in your laundry room to protect the rest of the house if your washer bursts or overflows. A floor drain will also help you quickly shut off the water in case of a leak or flood. Installing a laundry faucet with a drain catch will discourage you from placing things like toys and rubber bands in the sink, which can cause clogs.
Silent water leaks in the laundry room can cause extensive damage if not addressed promptly. Check the washing machine hoses and sink for signs of a leak, such as stains and damp walls and floors. Leaking pipes from the washer and laundry sink can occur due to burst hoses, degraded or loose washers, or pipe corrosion.
A clogged kitchen faucet is often caused by mineral buildup, such as calcium, in the water. You can easily fix a clogged kitchen faucet by removing the aerator, cleaning it with a scrub brush and vinegar, and replacing it. Leaking faucets can also cause costly water damage in the kitchen, so check them regularly and call a plumber for repairs when necessary.
