Whether you are aware of the fact or not, your kitchen sink is one of the most used appliances in your home. At your kitchen sink, you do everything from washing dishes, disposing food, washing your hands, and even preparing food. Because you use your kitchen sink consistently on a regular basis, it will gradually begin to break down over time.
Some issues that may arise can cost you money and time, which is why it is so important that you have your kitchen plumbing appliances serviced somewhat regularly. The five most common kitchen items that Central Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning services are garbage disposals, P-traps, dishwashers, drains, and home water supply.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance
It is imperative that your garbage disposal is maintained by a professional every so often. Garbage disposals tackle all sorts of food waste, which is why having a plumber look at yours is vital in ensuring that your pipes are safe.
After you have a plumber look at your garbage disposal, here are a few tips that you can keep in mind when using your garbage disposal in the future:
- Always run cold water when running the disposal. This will solidify any grease and will make it so that the grease doesn’t build up on the blades.
- Break down large food items and feed the disposal slowly.
- Run the disposal often to prevent rust from building up and use dish soap to wash the interior.
P-Trap Maintenance
The U-shaped pipe under your sink is called a P-trap. Your P-trap is an important part of your kitchen system and sometimes can become clogged or can begin to leak. Having a plumber inspect your P-trap from time to time is important because, if water backs up, a flood of water can develop under the sink. Who wants that mess?
In the future, you can keep up with your P-trap on your own by turning off the water flow, placing a bucket underneath the P-trap, unscrewing the fittings on both sides of the trap, and then removing the fittings. This will allow the gunk inside that is preventing a normal flow of water to be removed from the pipe.
Dishwasher Maintenance
Besides the kitchen sink, the other appliance in your home that you use quite frequently is your dishwasher. Many of the intricate pipes and electrical systems are tied into dishwashers and are not meant to be repaired by the consumer. If you go about trying to solve problems with your dishwasher, you could make matters worse and void any warranties that you might have. Make sure to contact a professional plumber if you are having issues with your dishwasher.
Drain Maintenance
Despite what you might believe, you can’t throw everything down your drains. On top of possible clogging and pipe damage that may occur, some items dropped down drains lead directly to water tables and treatment centers. Caustic chemicals and solvents, medications, greases, fats and oils, paper products, and even coffee grounds are items that, when combined, can create a massive clog that only professional plumbers can solve.
Water Filtration
Hard water can damage sink fixtures and the pipes under the sink. Hard water also can leave behind a spotty residue on clean dishes. A plumbing professional can help you solve your hard water woes by installing a water filtration system, such as a softener or descaler. These filters use sodium or an electrical charge to separate minerals and chemicals from the water feeding into the kitchen.
Central Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is made up of an experienced group of plumbers that perform work on kitchens regularly. If you are in need of our kitchen plumbing services, call us today!