The kitchen sink is one of the most important fixtures in your home. Because of its constant and varied use, the drain can run into some problems. If this happens to you, don’t worry! For any bad plumbing problems in the kitchen, call Electric Rooter and we will get that sink of yours up and running. Fortunately, most problems can be prevented with a few simple precautions.
Avoid pouring food down the drain
If you use your sink to wash your dishes, try scraping food residue into the garbage before starting to wash. You can also use a sieve to separate out food from water in pots that need cleaning. Not only will this make your job easier, it will prevent food from washing into your sink and causing drain blockages.
Keep oils and fats away from your drain
Fats are not soluble in water, which can create a big problem for your drain and pipes. Because fats don’t break down in water, they can group together and form thick clogs. Instead of pouring oil or animal fat down your drains, strain them out first and throw them in the garbage. If your drain does clog, give us a call and we will take care of it fast.
Flush with hot water
Drains can develop an odor quickly, especially if food or oil have gotten into the pipes. To clean and freshen your drains, try boiling water and slowly pouring it down the drain. The hot water should help clear out scum and other residue to improve the flow and smell of your sink. Try doing this once a week to clean away anything that accumulates.
Use baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar combine to create a powerful cleaning agent that you can use to safely clear out your pipes. Just add about a half a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with the same amount of vinegar. Let it sit for several hours and then follow with a hot water flush. This will clean and freshen your sink.
Sink plunger
It is a good idea to have a plunger dedicated to your kitchen sink. If you suddenly get a clog and need to clear it away, just use your plunger like you would on a clogged toilet. The suction will help to dislodge the blockage and then you can follow up with some of these other maintenance methods.
If your sink runs into plumbing trouble, give these methods a shot to try and clear it up. If these don’t work, don’t worry. Give us a call and let Electric Rooter take care of the problem for you. We’d love to help!