The kitchen is a place where plumbing issues occur quite often if the people living in the house are not careful enough, although some problems, truth be told, occur simply because of faulty installations. Any plumbing problem in the kitchen, or other places in the house for that matter, are not just an inconvenience, but can easily escalate and create much bigger and more dangerous problems. Naturally, there is no other option when it comes to major issues but to call a professional, but some minor problems shouldn’t be unsolvable by homeowners.
Low water pressure
If the water is not flowing properly from your faucet, it may be the case that your aerator is clogged. This usually happens because water picks up minerals like calcium, which creates its deposits in the aerator. What you can do is remove the aerator and clean any debris using a brush dipped in vinegar. This simple DIY solution is quite popular among Australian homeowners and it often does the trick.
Leaky faucet
Another inconvenience that most of us are familiar with is a leaking faucet. Again, the problem can be serious enough for you to bring in an expert, but before you do that, check if you can fix the problem. For example, if the faucet leaks from the base of the sprout when you use it, the problem may be in a worn O-ring seal. Turn the water off at the source and disassemble the faucet. Remove the coupling nut and coax the spout from its socket to get to the O-ring. Replace it and see if that fixes the issue.
Clogged drains
In order for water to exit the kitchen, it uses gravity. Now, the problem occurs when there’s an obstacle in the drains, which prevents the downward flow of water. You may try to deal with it using a plunger first or some chemicals or homemade remedies which are more eco-friendly. For example, a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and vinegar might do the trick. Pour them and wait for 30 minutes before flushing with hot water. If that doesn’t work, you need to find a reliable professional, such as this expert for blocked drains in Sydney, who can come and fix the problem quickly.
Clogged sink
Underneath each kitchen sink you’ll find a P-shaped trap that is designed to keep sewer gases and odours from getting into your home. Gravity pulls water into the curved section to block out the gasses, but grease and soap scum can build up in the trap as well. That may eventually lead to a clogged sink. The best way to inspect it is to remove the P-trap and clean it thoroughly. In addition, if you notice that your sewer line springs a leak or breaks and needs to be repaired, make sure to contact a professional sewer line repair specialist right away for a quick fix.
Garbage disposal
This very useful feature of most modern and some older homes is great for many things, but it’s not supposed to handle materials such as grease and bones. You know that even potato peels can jam your garbage disposal. Try pressing the reset button if it stops working. If it works, make sure you run cold water for some 15 seconds before using it next time and around 30 seconds afterwards.
Dishwasher leaks
Many housewives can’t imagine their kitchens without a fully functional dishwasher. However, these useful appliances may leak, too. Sometimes the reason is relatively simple, such as a broken float switch, which allows water to fill the tub until it overflows. Also, damaged spray arms can also be the culprit. Luckily, both can be replaced using a screwdriver. Finally, even gaskets are really easily replaceable.
The thing with kitchen plumbing issues is to deal with them as soon as you notice them, since they can cause much more dangerous and more expensive damage. As you can see, many problems can be fixed without any special skills or expertise, but every serious issue is best dealt with by a professional. So, if you’re not confident enough, make sure you hire an expert like this Berlin, MA plumber.
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