In every household, the kitchen sink is probably the one fixture that undergoes daily heavy usage, ranging from hand washing to doing dishes. As a result, it is likely to wear over time.
When it comes to the kitchen sink, most plumbing problems start as minor leaks that can quickly turn into major disasters. Your Big Bear kitchen plumbing is no exception to this. Although it can be a little frustrating to see your kitchen sink faucet leaking on a busy Monday morning, you need to address this issue right away. The more you delay the repairs, the costlier and more time-consuming they will be.
Further, keeping one of the busiest areas in your house out-of-order will add more stress to your already busy schedule. Whether you want to call one of the Big Bear plumbers or tackle the problem yourself, you need to know the common causes behind kitchen sink plumbing issues.
Here are a few common plumbing problems, their causes, and possible DIY solutions.
1. Leaky Faucets
Easiest to spot and quite common, a leaky faucet often continues to drip even after you have turned it off. Overlooking this plumbing problem will waste plenty of water, which will eventually reflect in your water bills. The leaking water may also cause other areas of the sink, especially the ones underneath it, to gather rust over time.
If you ignore a dripping faucet, the problem will get worse over time. Usually, a leaky faucet is caused by damaged or worn-out washers, gaskets, or other components. So, you will need to either replace the entire faucet with a new one or change the damaged hardware parts of your existing faucet with new ones.
Before proceeding, make sure you have the right replacement parts or a suitable new faucet. Turn off the water supply to the sink. Depending on your water supply plumbing, you may have to turn off the main supply. You should also wrap the teeth of pliers and wrenches with duct tape to avoid scratching the surface of the faucet.
2. Clogged Sinks
Clogged sinks are also equally common. Your kitchen sink will get clogged if you frequently flush down solid and insoluble materials using inadequate water. As a result, pieces of food and other solid material will accumulate in the pipe under the sink, preventing it from working properly. Kitchen sinks with a garbage disposal are usually more susceptible to clogging issues.
If your clogging issue is not serious, you can use a few simple home-made solutions. You can try a store-bought drainage cleaner to remove the clog. However, commercial drain cleaners may have harsh chemicals that can corrode your piping.
You can also pour some hot water mixed with soap down the drain and wait for 20-25 minutes. The hot water will loosen the clogged particles, making it easier to remove the clog with a plunger.
One more alternative is to use a thin flexible cable that unwinds or an auger to remove the clog physically. Once the clog is cleared or loosened, you can pour water down the drain to clean it thoroughly. However, if none of these options work, you may need to call Big Bear plumbers to remove the clog professionally.
3. Drain Leaks
Not only faucets, the drainage line that goes under your sink can also develop leaks over time. Usually, as the drain gets old or worn-out, it can start leaking. You will need to use a flashlight to see the leak under the sink.
If the leak is coming from any of the joints where the pipes are connected, you can try tightening the joints. If the leak is coming from elsewhere, applying a layer of plumber’s putty will seal it.
If your sink drainage has old metal pipes, the leak may be due to rust. Look for rusty areas to identify the leak. In this situation, it is better to replace the rusty part of the pipe with a new one.
Sometimes the sink strainer can also start leaking. Usually, a loose locknut or bell housing can cause the leak in this case. Try tightening the strainer connectors to see if the leak stops. You can fix a small leak by applying clear silicone around the area that connects the strainer with the sink.
4. Low Water Pressure
Another common problem is low water pressure. If the pressure is low, cleaning dishes can be difficult. Usually, a clogged aerator, which looks like a small screen, causes this problem. This, in turn, is caused by a highly mineralized or hard water supply.
As the salts build up in the aerator, the water pressure starts to drop. In other words, the screen needs to be replaced or cleaned. The good news is, you can unscrew this screen easily and clean it or replace it with a new one bought from the nearest hardware store.
Conclusion
These DIY kitchen plumbing solutions will help you fix issues only temporarily. If the problem persists or is more serious than you thought, you should call an experienced plumber immediately. An experienced and skilled plumbing service provider like Bear Valley Plumbing & Heating is your best choice in the Big Bear area.
Got a Really Bad Clog? Call Big Bear Plumbing Team Today
Call the Big Bear Plumbing team on (909) 584-4376 to schedule an appointment. Our qualified team is available round the clock to help you through the most daunting plumbing problems.
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Plumbing Installation
