Kitchen sink plumbing is an integral component of your home’s drainage system, facilitating the flow of waste water to its destination: either your sewer system or septic tank.
Familiarizing yourself with these components will enable you to identify and resolve common plumbing issues more quickly.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are one of the main reasons homeowners seek professional plumbing assistance. Fat, oils and grease that drain down into sinks combine with soap scum to form gunky clumps that block water flow; food scraps and grime can also clog your drain even if you use a garbage disposal.
Cereal, bread scraps, pasta, potatoes, beans and rice all expand when exposed to water, creating a sticky substance that corrodes away at pipes and restricts water flow. You can avoid this issue by throwing these foods in your compost pile instead.
If your kitchen sink is clogged, first remove and clean out the P-trap before feeding a plumber’s snake or auger down the wall pipe to pull out any obstructions you detect. If that does not work, try flushing with hot water; alternatively you could combine baking soda and vinegar, which creates bubbles to break down food scraps and grease to help clear away clogs more effectively.
Slow Water Flow
If your sink has low water flow, it’s essential that you take steps to ensure it doesn’t have a leak. Close all faucets and turn off water supply valves under it before searching beneath for any puddles or pooled areas that should not exist; look also for any signs of leaks; there may also be an obstruction somewhere along your water line which needs straightening out.
Clogged aerators or cartridges are another potential culprit; these can easily be removed and cleaned using simple tool sets or vinegar mixture.
Your drainpipes extend well beyond those which supply your sinks, and problems with these pipes may contribute to slow drainage throughout your home. In many instances, such issues stem from blockages or leaks in your main sewer line connecting with your septic system. It is highly advised that any major line issues be identified and repaired promptly to avoid potential major damage to your property. It is advisable to have these main line issues evaluated by a plumber; otherwise they could lead to significant water damage that needs addressing immediately.
Foul Odors
An unpleasant odor from your kitchen sink is typically due to either its p-trap or blocked drain vent. The p-trap is the curved pipe under your sink that collects water and prevents sewer smells from invading other rooms of the house; when this pipe becomes blocked with food debris, grease build-up, soap scum or simply becomes empty and allows sewer smells in, cleaning will likely be necessary.
To clean your p-trap, disconnect its two pipes and clear away any blockages or dirt. Pour boiling water or vinegar down the drain to flush away any leftover gunk and freshen up its interior – this should be repeated regularly to maintain fresh smelling drains and garbage disposals. If foul smells continue, however, professional help may be required as they could inspect your plumbing system to find its source and eliminate it effectively.
Leaking Pipes
Leakage pipes can quickly cause serious water damage over time. Unfortunately, they’re often difficult to detect as they often happen underground and cause expensive water bills as well as structural and belonging damage in your home.
One of the main causes of leaky pipes under sinks is a P trap, a curved pipe connecting your drain to your septic system or sewer that is designed to trap foul odors but may become blocked with gunk and debris or leak due to corrosion in metal components.
Whenever there is the suspicion of plumbing issues under your sink, it is imperative to double-check all slip joint connections to make sure they are tightened firmly by hand or using pliers if they become loose. Also remove your drain to inspect plumber’s putty and replace if necessary – this DIY fix requires no tools whatsoever!
