Kitchens are the heart and soul of any home. It’s a place to prepare food for family, friends or just yourself; but it’s more than that! Kitchens can be an everyday gathering spot for people to come together for a good conversation – a true sanctuary from busy lives. That means making sure your plumbing is well-maintained, so you don’t have those pesky clogs breaking out all over your kitchen. Here are seven things you need to know about kitchen plumbing:
Kitchen Plumbing is Important
Kitchen plumbing is essential to deliver clean water to your sink. It’s also responsible for draining wastewater from your dishwasher and garbage disposal. If your kitchen plumbing is not in good shape, you could end up with a flooded kitchen, or worse, a sewage backup.
Kitchen Plumbing Should be Regularly Maintained
Regular kitchen plumbing maintenance is essential for keeping it in good working condition. Clean drains prevent clogs and leaks. Failing to maintain your kitchen plumbing can lead to costly repairs down the road.
Kitchen Plumbing Repair Can be Expensive
Kitchen plumbing repair can be expensive especially if the damage is extensive. If you notice any signs of trouble, such as leaks or clogs, be sure to call a plumber right away.
Clogs Can be Caused by Food
Kitchen sinks often get clogged with food. This is because many people rinse their plates before putting them in the dishwasher which brings large food particles down the drain. Unclogging a kitchen sink can be relatively simple as long as you keep food from going down the drain every time you wash the dishes.
Certain Items Can Damage Kitchen Plumbing
Certain items should never go down the drain because they can damage your pipes or completely clog them. Some examples include coffee grounds, eggshells, flosses, and many more. If items like these make their way down your drain, you need to take action immediately to prevent an overflow or backup. When unclogging doesn’t work for you, it is time to call for a professional kitchen plumbing service.
Dishwashers Can Cause Problems If Not Properly Installed
When installing a dishwasher in your kitchen, it’s essential that it’s adequately leveled and plumbed into the sink so water can drain away from the dishwasher. If installed incorrectly, the dishwasher can cause problems with your kitchen sink.
Garbage Disposals Require Special Care
Garbage disposals are a great way to prevent food from going down the drain, but they also have their fair share of problems if not used correctly. For example, many people will put potato peels or other tough food into their garbage disposal without realizing that this can clog or damage their dishwashers over time.
How to Keep Your Kitchen Plumbing In Good Shape
Since kitchen sinks are used so much throughout the week, showing them some TLC by committing to a weekly cleaning routine is important. To clean your kitchen sink:
- Make sure you have these items ready: rubber gloves, sponge, brush, dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, hydrogen peroxide, salt
- Clear the sink of any dishes, dish racks, or food items.
- For stainless steel kitchen sinks, avoid using acidic food, bleach, and abrasive scrubbers to prevent altering the sink’s finish. Instead, you can use baking soda. Wet the sink with water. Sprinkle the sink with baking soda, then scrub it using a wet sponge with some dish soap. Rinse with clean water, then dry it with a microfiber cloth.
- For white kitchen sink, use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to bring it back to its original state and lift any stains. Lightly damp the sink with a wet cloth, then sprinkle it whole with baking soda. Add a few small drops of hydrogen peroxide, then start scrubbing using a brush or sponge. After scrubbing, rinse with clean water.
- For the porcelain kitchen sink, sprinkle salt to a lemon half to scrub off rust, then wash with warm soapy water—dry using a microfiber cloth.
If you have a dishwasher, make sure to run it on the highest water level possible. This will allow the water to thoroughly clean utensils and reduce your risk of a clogged drain.
Avoid pouring boiling water down your sink which can melt PVC pipes and pipe seals. Also avoid using chemical drain cleaners which can damage metal pipes. Lastly, never throw solid food items down your kitchen drain.
What Should I Avoid Throwing in my Kitchen Drain?
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Grease or Oil
Never pour grease or oil down the drain to prevent clogging or backups. Instead, dispose of them in a container lined with paper towels.
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Eggshells and Coffee Grounds
Eggshells and coffee grounds can be very challenging to remove from the drain pipes. Those tend to stay intact and don’t get eliminated like most other food particles if left for too long before being flushed down.
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Pasta, Potato Peels, Rice
These foods are rich in starch, and they tend to swell when exposed to water. If you don’t want your leftovers swimming around your sink for hours, throw them in the garbage bin instead.
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Cereals and Seeds
Seeds and cereals can become soft and pliable when in contact with water, but these particles stay intact. It’s better to throw them in the trash than into your sink.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Although some chemical cleaners are made for drains, they contain incredibly abrasive chemicals that can cause corrosion to your plumbing. They might solve the slow draining problem, but they can leave detrimental consequences to your pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do you need to know about plumbing?
Every homeowner should know where to find the main water and sewer valve to shut off the water in sinks and appliances when attempting to unclog them. But if the DIY method simply doesn’t work, you should hire a professional plumber immediately.
Is kitchen plumbing the same as bathroom plumbing?
No, kitchen plumbing is different from bathroom plumbing since the materials going down the drains are massively different. When you need kitchen plumbing service in McHenry, whether it’s an emergency in the kitchen or bathroom, Combat Plumbing can help! With over 20 years of plumbing industry experience, we’ve known, seen, and fixed it all.
Why is kitchen plumbing important?
Your kitchen is an essential part of your home. It’s where you spend a lot of time cooking and eating with friends or family; it needs to work correctly for that reason! Water supply lines provide fresh tap water while gas pipes ensure all cooktops function smoothly.
