Clogged drains are one of the most common kitchen sink plumbing problems. Too many homeowners use the sink as their garbage can, so they must be extra careful about what they put down the drain. Get a drain catch, and always put items that go down the sink in the trash. If a clogged drain is causing water to accumulate in the pipes, you should call a plumber right away. The pipe could burst, causing significant damage.
Pasta, potatoes, beans, and rice are common culprits of clogged kitchen sinks
Many household items can clog kitchen sinks. Oil, fat, and other fatty substances tend to stick to the pipe walls. When this happens, food waste and other objects can become buried inside the grease. Then, the trapped grease becomes even harder to remove. Foods like beans, rice, and pasta are known to have high water content, which expands and clogs the drain.
Potatoes, beans, and rice are also notorious culprits of clogged kitchen sinks. These foods swell when exposed to water and form a paste. This paste adheres to the walls of the pipes. Other common culprits of clogged kitchen sinks include eggshells, bones, and raw meat. Eggshells are particularly bad for the drain because they can get stuck in the disposer blades.
Besides these common culprits, you might also notice that your kitchen sink clogs frequently. This is likely because something is trapped in the pipes underneath your kitchen sink. Over time, these materials can build up on the walls of the pipes and create stubborn clogs. If you’re experiencing a clogged kitchen sink, consider these tips for preventing it from happening again.
Weared-out washers cause spout leaks
If you’ve noticed that the spout of your kitchen sink is leaking, the main culprit could be worn-out washers. Washers are pieces of rubber or metal that fit into gaps in the plumbing. As they wear out, they press against the parts they’re between, resulting in leaks. Often, leaks occur because the washers have been improperly installed or are of the wrong size. Replacing the washers should solve this problem.
In most cases, leaky sinks are the result of worn-out washers. These are common in compression faucets. Simply cleaning up the water doesn’t resolve the problem. A new washer is required to repair a leaky sink. However, a replacement isn’t always an option. Here’s how to fix a leaking sink:
Main shutoff valve on the main pipe may not be fully turned
If you live in a climate where freezing is not a concern, your main shutoff valve is located on the ground level. However, before you attempt to shut off the water from the main pipe, you need to ensure that you are using the right one. The valve’s handle should turn in the desired direction to shut off the water. However, if the valve isn’t fully turned, it might be because of a broken stem or internal parts.
If you’re unsure of where your main shutoff valve is, check your building’s manual to find out where it is. Some homes have a shutoff valve near the property line, but this valve is typically located in the basement or crawlspace. A newer home may have its shutoff valve near the water heater. In addition, a slab home will likely have its main shutoff valve in the garage.
Pressure regulator or pressure-reducing valve may not be fully turned
A water pressure-reducing valve is a mechanical device installed on the main water line of a home or building to decrease high city water pressure. In many cases, these valves are concealed behind a panel in a wall or garage, or are mounted in the front flower bed. When a valve malfunctions, it can lead to a range of problems, from dripping faucets to water hammers.
There are several causes for this problem. One is that the water pressure regulator does not have a fixed setting. It can be adjusted manually by a screw, allowing the user to control the water pressure. Usually, a pressure regulator comes with a default setting of 50 psi, but you may need to adjust it if the water pressure in your home is too high or too low. In such a case, it may be a good idea to attach a pressure gauge to the regulator so that you know exactly what setting you need.
