Your Kitchen Plumbing Questions Answered
Date: October 27, 2017
ARTICLES
YOUR KITCHEN PLUMBING QUESTIONS ANSWERED
OCT 26, 2017
From appliances to fixtures, there is a lot of stuff going on in and around your kitchen when plumbing is concerned – it is no wonder that so many homeowners have kitchen plumbing questions. And in our more than 40 years of working as plumbers in the Phoenix area, you can safely bet that we have heard our fair share. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked kitchen plumbing questions we get from friends, family, and customers. But before we begin, please keep in mind that you can call us with all of your plumbing questions anytime, day or night!
COMMON KITCHEN PLUMBING PROBLEMS
When it comes to kitchen plumbing problems, there are a few common themes. Food debris is often the culprit behind these unique plumbing issues. Before delving too far into the article, because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, remember to always dispose of food properly. Remember that things like coffee grounds, potato peels, and celery should never go into the garbage disposal. Rinse dishes as best as possible before putting them in the dishwasher. Keeping these types of things in mind can help you minimize or avoid kitchen plumbing issues in the future. In the meantime, here are some brief explanations of how to tackle the common kitchen plumbing problems once they have occurred.
HOW TO CHANGE A KITCHEN FAUCET?
Whether your current kitchen faucet is broken or you are just ready for an upgrade, homeowners frequently ask us how they should go about changing the faucet. Luckily, as far as kitchen plumbing projects go, this is one of the most simple but impactful things you can learn how to do.
Have a bucket and some towels at the ready in case there is some excess water in supply lines. Shut off the water and disconnect supply lines to the old faucet. Then, loosen the bolts attaching the old faucet to the sink so that you can remove the faucet. If your faucet includes a detached sprayer, there may be a plastic nut that you also have to loosen to remove the entire kitchen plumbing fixture. Next, you will use plumber’s putty and bolts to affix the new faucet to the sink. Position the supply lines, check your work and clean up any excess putty … then, voila! You have a new kitchen faucet! If you would like more detailed instructions with pictures, check out this tutorial from DIY Network.
HOW TO UNCLOG A KITCHEN SINK?
When it comes to kitchen plumbing, a clogged sink is an incredibly common complaint. When it is time to unclog your kitchen sink, be sure that you have a plunger at the ready. Hopefully, the clog is near the drain and you will be able to unclog it easily using this simple tool. If that does not work, try removing the trap. If the clog is even further down the line, an auger or pipe snake might do the trick, though the length necessary will depend on where in the line the clog is occurring. For a stubborn clog that you can’t get to budge, contact us — we can take care of all of your kitchen plumbing problems for you!
HOW TO FIX A GARBAGE DISPOSAL?
Another commonly asked kitchen plumbing question is how to go about fixing a garbage disposal. The first thing you will want to do is try to determine what the problem is. Check circuit breakers or fuses in the electrical panel to make sure that the garbage disposal is receiving electricity. If that does not do the trick, unplug the garbage disposal before proceeding with more diagnostics. At the bottom of the garbage disposal, there should be a thermal overload button you can press to try to return power to the garbage disposal. If this still has not worked and your garbage disposal does not seem to be getting any power, contact a professional for a more thorough diagnosis.
On the other hand, your garbage disposal may have power but not be functioning properly. In this case, after unplugging the garbage disposal, check that the motor shaft spins freely. A hex or Allen wrench in the hexagon-shaped hole at the bottom of the garbage disposal will do the trick here — sometimes garbage disposals become slightly jammed and moving the wrench back and forth can dislodge whatever is causing the kitchen plumbing trouble. If not, seek the guidance of a professional.
HOW TO DRAIN A DISHWASHER WITH STANDING WATER?
Another of the frequently asked kitchen plumbing questions we often receive is how to drain standing water from a dishwasher. The first thing to try is running your garbage disposal. An overly full garbage disposal can interfere with dishwasher drainage because of a hose that connects the two. If that does not do the trick, scoop water out of the dishwasher into a bowl or bucket using a ladle or measuring cup. Once the standing water in the dishwasher is too shallow to scoop, use an absorbent towel to get the rest. Then, get to work identifying what might have caused this particular kitchen plumbing predicament.
Check at the bottom of the dishwasher and the drain basket to ensure food debris and the like are not impeding water from draining. Next, check the owner’s manual to locate the filter in your dishwasher. Regular cleaning of the dishwasher’s filter can help avoid kitchen plumbing problems of this sort. Lastly, if none of the above solutions fixed the problem or if your dishwasher is making unusual noises while running, contact a qualified plumbing professional to take a look. Clicking or humming, in particular, can be indicators that there may be issues with the pump or motor that require professional repair or replacement.
Did we answer all of your kitchen plumbing questions or are you coping with another issue altogether? If so, give us a call! We are happy to help and all of our work is guaranteed. Same-day appointments are available!