Kitchen Plumbing 101: Essential Maintenance Tips for San Jose, CA, Homeowners
Want to keep your kitchen plumbing system running like clockwork? Check out these kitchen plumbing maintenance tips from our experts.
Treat Your Garbage Disposal Unit Right
Contrary to its name, your garbage disposal isn’t a catch-all trash can, so be careful what you dump down your kitchen sink. Starchy foods, coffee grounds, eggshells, and cooking grease are a no-go because they can clog your disposal. You could end up with not only a clogged drain but also mold growth as food rots in your sink.
Keep the P-Trap Clean
Look under your kitchen sink and you’ll see a curved section of pipe called the P-trap. Its job is mainly to trap odors and prevent them from wafting up through your drain.
As part of drain maintenance, you’ll need to clean your P-trap regularly. Simply unfasten the P-trap (place a bucket below the pipe first to catch dripping water) and empty out debris. Fair warning: It’ll probably be pretty stinky, so you might want to cover your nose while you work.
Found a Leaking Pipe? Fix It Fast
Minor leaks may not seem like big trouble, but if you care about saving money, fix those you find right away. Little leaks usually only require minor repairs, but ignore the problem long enough and you could end up with a burst pipe that needs specialized equipment to fix.
Watch out for hidden leaks, too. Telltale signs include wet spots on your walls and the sound of water running behind your walls. Got a mystery leak? Call an emergency plumber for leak repair ASAP.
Resolve Clogged Drains the Right Way
Drain cleaning can be frustrating, but never resort to dumping chemical drain cleaners down your sink or tub. Ask any plumber about pipe corrosion prevention strategies, and they’ll tell you to avoid these cleaners because they can cause serious damage.
It’s safer to dump boiling-hot water mixed with baking soda down the drain. Give the hot water mixture a few minutes to work, then turn on the faucet to push the clog down the drain.
Upgrade Your Home’s Plumbing Fixtures
Tired of that leaky faucet and want sustainable plumbing solutions? Now’s a great time to upgrade your sink and other kitchen fixtures. Modern fixtures waste less water, are quieter, and come with handy features like touchless operation.
If you’d like to replace your existing plumbing, call a plumbing service that’s familiar with efficient water usage techniques and knows how to comply with local building codes.
Schedule Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Scheduling regular maintenance is one of the smartest things you can do for your residential or commercial plumbing system. Plumbers offer:
- Sewer line cleaning
- Water line installation
- Hydro jetting and pipe bursting
- Water supply testing
- Repair work for frozen pipes
- And more
Got Plumbing Issues? Call Our Professional Plumbers
Ready to schedule your kitchen plumbing maintenance? Our pros at Superior Plumbing will keep your kitchen’s pipes and fixtures in tip-top shape. To get a quote for maintenance or repairs, call (408) 446-1760.