Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance Tips

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we gather to cook together, eat together, and so much more. You can keep your kitchen running smoothly by taking care of your kitchen plumbing system. It’s not a major project; just follow a few simple kitchen plumbing maintenance tips, and you can keep your kitchen plumbing in tip top shape.

Caring for Your Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal breaks down, it’s usually because something was put in it that doesn’t belong there. Prevention really is the best medicine. Here are the don’ts of using your garbage disposal:

1. Don’t put fibrous or stringy food, like celery or banana peels, into the garbage disposal.
2. After using the garbage disposal, run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds.
3. Never pour grease down the drain. Instead, use a paper towel to absorb the grease and throw it in the trash can.

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Over time, bits of food can accumulate in your garbage disposal, and nasty odors can develop. You can get rid of any odors by periodically cleaning your garbage disposal. Here’s how:

1. Place ice cubes and citrus peels in the garbage disposal and turn it on. Let it run for about 30 seconds.
2. Pour a bit of liquid dish soap down the garbage disposal while it is running.
3. Flush away any remaining residue by running cold water down the garbage disposal for 30 seconds or so.

Resetting Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are made with a safety feature that causes them to shut off when the motor gets too hot. If this happens, you will need to reset your garbage disposal so that you can use it again. Follow these steps:

1. Turn the garbage disposal off.
2. Never put your hands down the garbage disposal.
3. Check the outlet, and make sure that the garbage disposal is plugged in.
4. Locate the reset switch on the garbage disposal. It is usually located on the bottom or the front of the unit.
5. Press the reset switch on the garbage disposal.
6. Turn the power to the garbage disposal back on.

Cleaning Your Aerator

The faucet in your kitchen sink has a part called an aerator. Over time, sediment and lime buildup accumulate in the aerator. This can cause the openings in the aerator to become blocked, and can result in low water pressure or a leaky handle. You can remedy this by simply cleaning the aerator. Follow these steps:

1. Turn the tip of the faucet counterclockwise to unscrew the aerator. If it is too difficult to remove by hand, you can use pliers; however, you should protect the faucet by wrapping it with tape first.
2. Take the aerator apart.
3. Clean the aerator by scrubbing it with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.
4. Put the aerator back together, and reattach it to the faucet.

You will have more sediment and buildup from your water if you have hard water. Consider installing a water softener or using a water filter. This will help to protect your plumbing system as well as improving the quality of the water that you use in your home.

If you are in need of assistance in caring for your kitchen plumbing system or you need to have some new kitchen appliances installed, contact Scott English Plumbing. We provide all of the plumbing services that you may need, and we are available for you around the clock. Contact Scott English Plumbing for more information today.