Effective Ways to Avoid Plumbing Issues in the Kitchen

Plumbing mishaps are a thorn in the side of many homeowners. Not only do they inconvenience every member of your household, they can also be fairly costly to repair. Although there’s no such thing as a good plumbing problem, kitchen-based plumbing mishaps can be particularly frustrating and inconvenient. A plumbing issue in the kitchen is liable to have an adverse impact on both cleanup and meal prep, so attentive homeowners would be wise to make avoiding such issues a priority. If you’re ready to make plumbing problems in your kitchen a thing of the past, put the following tips to good use.

Purchase a Comprehensive Home Warranty

When looking for effective ways to protect big-ticket kitchen appliances that are prone to plumbing issues, you’d be wise to consider a comprehensive home warranty. As the name suggests, a home warranty covers a vast array of home appliances and stands to save you a small fortune in repair and plumbing costs. In addition to being affordable for most homeowners, these warranties can provide you with total peace of mind the next time an essential kitchen appliance acts up. So, the next time you find yourself faced with a kitchen-based plumbing issue or are wondering how to fix a leaky faucet, consider the many benefits a dependable home warranty has to offer.  

Be Mindful of Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposal misuse is among the most common causes of kitchen-based plumbing problems. Although no one enjoys dealing with garbage disposal issues, many of us don’t hesitate to use these devices improperly. Fortunately, keeping your disposal in prime condition requires just a little bit of mindfulness and consistency.

For starters, you’ll need to be mindful of what goes down the disposal. Hard foods, like chicken bones, seeds and produce pits, should never be placed into the disposal, as they’re liable to damage the blades and create clogs. Fibrous foods, like onion skins, corn husks and eggshells, should also be kept out of the garbage disposal, as the fibers they contain can wrap themselves around the blades and create clogs and jams. Secondly, make a point of running the water every time you use the device. In addition to running water while food scraps are being ground up, you should continue to let it run for 10 to 20 seconds after the grinding is complete. This helps ensure that residual food particles are carried out of the disposal. Furthermore, make sure the water is cold since this will prevent grease from adhering to the blades.

In order to continue operating at peak efficiency, your garbage disposal will need to be cleaned periodically. However, before attempting this, make sure you are in possession of all the right facts. If you’re unclear on how your garbage disposal should be cleaned, consult the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website. Regardless of the preferred cleaning method, you must never place your fingers or hands into the disposal under any circumstances. If you have any safety concerns whatsoever, delegate this task to a seasoned pro.           

Thoroughly Scrape Dishes

If your kitchen doesn’t have a garbage disposal, make a point of thoroughly scraping your dishes into the trash before proceeding to rinse or wash them. The fewer food scraps that go down the drain, the fewer opportunities for clogging. Additionally, any dishes that are placed in the dishwasher should receive a thorough scraping beforehand. Not only does this help the device do its job more effectively and efficiently, it decreases the likelihood of dishwasher clogs. Regularly cleaning your dishwasher can also prove helpful at preventing clogs and other plumbing mishaps. Again, if you’re unclear on how to safely clean this device, the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website should hold the answers you seek.   

No homeowner relishes dealing with plumbing problems, particularly mishaps of the kitchen-based variety. Since a serious plumbing issue in the kitchen can pave the way for massive frustration and costly repairs, taking preventative measures is the wisest course of action. While this is liable to strike many homeowners as a difficult prospect, nipping plumbing issues in the bud is neither challenging nor financially strenuous. Putting the previously discussed pointers into practice can prove invaluable in your efforts to keep your kitchen free of plumbing mishaps.    

About The Author: Written By Clayton R.

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