The Green Revolution in Plumbing: Environmentally Friendly Plumbing

How to Solve Some Common Kitchen Sink Plumbing Problems

One of the most frequently used items in your kitchen is the sink. Thus, it is not surprising that over time, the sink will succumb to problems stemming from regular wear. Luckily, troubleshooting some kitchen sink problems is not challenging, and most homeowners can carry it out on their own. However, if your troubleshooting does not work, it is prudent to call a professional plumber to ensure that you are not exacerbating the problem. So what are some of the common kitchen sink problems that you would have to contend with at one time or another?

Decreased water pressure

Water pressure is crucial to carry out the different cleaning tasks in your kitchen. One of the main reasons why you may start to experience reduced water pressure is if your tap's aerator has become clogged. The clogging will come about due to an accumulation of mineral deposits from your water, most commonly calcium. If left unchecked, the calcium begins to close up the holes in the aerator, and your stream of water will gradually diminish.

To fix this problem, you should take out the aerator so that you can give it a thorough cleaning. Wrap a pair of pliers with some duct tape, then use the pliers to unscrew the tapware from the faucet. The duct tape works to ensure that your pliers will not scratch your tapware when you are extracting the aerator. Once the aerator is out, soak it in a mixture of vinegar and water for at least half a day so to loosen the mineral deposits. After the duration has passed, gently scrub the aerator and rinse it under some warm water. If you re-install your aerator and find that the low pressure persists, you should hire a plumber to locate the source of the problem.

A recurrent clog

Clogging in your kitchen sink is something that is fairly common due to the exposure to food particles. However, it should not be overlooked as clogs can develop into severe blockages that would put your kitchen at risk of leaks, pipe bursts and more. If you find that you are plunging your sink on a routine basis, you may want to check if the clog is in the P-trap. The P-trap is the curved pipe that is located beneath your sink. Before taking it out, put a bucket below the sink to catch any water that may spill. Use a pipe wrench to loosen the nuts holding the pipe in place, then wiggle it out. Once the P-trap is out, use a plumbing snake to clean out the sink's piping. You should also clean out the P-trap to eliminate any debris.

If you need help fixing your blocked drains, contact a local plumber.


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