Keep the Kitchen Flowing with These Maintenance Tips
The pipes in a home are usually taken for granted until there is an issue with water flowing to the faucets on demand. Poorly functioning pipes can really hinder your daily activities, which is why it’s a smart idea to check these plumbing parts regularly to make sure they’re working like they should.
Here are some kitchen maintenance tips for checking your pipes and faucets so that you’re never left without water when you need it
Unclog Slow Drains
A slow drain is more than just a nuisance; it’s a warning sign of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. Many small drain clogs can be treated by the homeowner with a little vinegar and hot water poured down the drain to loosen up debris. This is also a good preventative habit to get into before clogs get too massive to be handled without the help of a professional plumber.
Fix Leaky Faucets Right Away
Another bathroom and kitchen maintenance tip is to check your faucet for leaks and fix them at the first signs of unwanted drops. When left unattended, leaks and drips will only get worse. Also, make sure to look under your sinks for signs of leakage down there.
Look Under Appliances for Water Leaks
Similarly, make a point to shift over your appliances that use water periodically to make sure no leaks are happening here. You may be able to get down on the floor with a flashlight to look underneath very large and heavy appliances for water damage. This includes your washing machine, refrigerator, and freezer.
Don’t Pour Everything Down the Drain
Drains are not the same as garbage disposals, and treating them the same may result in a costly kitchen sink drain pipe repair. This is also true for toilets, which shouldn’t have anything put down them besides toilet paper and human waste.
For your sink drains, avoid dumping coffee grounds, eggshells, grease, oils, and fats. Household plumbing systems are not able to handle these items. Other things to never put down your drain for the sake of good kitchen maintenance include butter, pasta, flour, and medications.
Test Your Water Pressure
Good household water pressure is normally 40 to 50 psi. This is the amount of force per inch that water is able to move through your pipes to deliver water to your faucets. Anything lower than 40 psi will likely feel like more of a trickle than a flow, while pressure readings of 80 psi or higher could lead to ruptured pipes and water damage. It is a smart idea to have a pressure regulator installed in your home and to check the pressure when you notice any changes.
Clean Away Hard Water Deposits
If you live in an area where the water is hard, a kitchen maintenance tip to remember is to clean and remove hard water deposits that form on faucets and other kitchen fixtures. This simple DIY project will help keep your fixtures working well and looking great for many years. Vinegar, mild scrubs, lime dissolvers, and window cleaners can all help clean away hard water deposits.
Replace Old Broken Faucets
You may also be faced with a kitchen sink drain pipe repair if your faucets are very old and have begun to malfunction. Fortunately, Central Plumbing Specialties has a wide selection of kitchen faucets and bathroom faucets to choose from to suit your style and your budget.
If you’re replacing an old faucet anyway, this might be a good opportunity to upgrade to a pot-filler faucet or bar/prep faucet to make daily meal preparations easier and more convenient. These models come with single-hole or two-or-more-hole installation, as well as deck-mount and wall-mount types. Meanwhile, new bathroom faucet options include single-hole faucets, center set faucets, and widespread faucets.
Replace Old Rusty Pipes
Similarly, if the pipes in your home are old (from 1970 or older), it may be time to have your pipes replaced by a plumbing professional. Older pipes were often made from galvanized iron, which is prone to rust and corrosion. This can cause water coming from your faucet to appear brown and water pressure to slowly decrease over time.
Central Plumbing Supplies can help you with all your pipe needs, and we’re open to homeowners and the trade. We have multiple New York locations to serve you, as well as our Grande Central Showrooms where you can see fine decorative plumbing fixtures for yourself to make the best choice.
Check out our locations page to visit the store nearest you, and we look forward to helping you take control of your bathroom plumbing and kitchen maintenance.