Plumbing Care 101: 4 Ways To Keep Your Kitchen Sink Clean And Clog-Free 

 

Having plumbing concerns in the kitchen can be both inconvenient and costly for homeowners. For instance, having a clogged sink can disrupt cooking, cleaning, and other activities. Aside from these, it can also cause health concerns if not addressed promptly. Given these possible outcomes, it’s essential to keep the kitchen sink clean and clog-free through proper care and usage.  

If you’d like to know more about how to keep your kitchen sink functional and of damage, here are some suggestions you may find helpful: 

1.  Address Persistent Issues Immediately 

Repetitive clogging can be a sign of severe damage to the sink’s pipes. If not addressed promptly, it may lead to further degradation and even cause permanent damage. Most of the time, the cause of persistent clogging is a buildup on the sink’s p-trap. To remove this, you need a wrench to detach the pipe and remove the obstruction in it. Do not forget to have a bucket placed beforehand to catch the water trapped in the pipe, which will be released once you detach it.

However, some clogging issues may go beyond the p-trap. For these cases, you’ll need to hire professional plumbing services, such as local Essendon plumbers. This way, you’ll find out if other underlying issues need to be addressed immediately.  

2.  Use Garbage Disposal Properly 

Having a malfunctioning or damaged garbage disposal can greatly inconvenience a household. As such, it’s essential to prevent damage by using the appliance properly.

In general, throwing food scraps down the drain is not advisable as it can easily cause clogging and buildup over time. Dishes should be cleared of any leftovers before they’re placed in the sink for washing.  

Several items can damage the garbage disposal mechanism and therefore should be disposed of in the trash or compost bin. Here are some of these items: 

• Meat and bones  

• Cooking oil or grease 

• Paper products such as food labels 

• Any packaging materials 

• Eggshells 

• Fruit and vegetable peels

• Coffee grounds 

• Starchy foods such as pasta or bread 

It’s also important to make sure you are running the garbage disposal with a constant flow of room-temperature water. This will help make the device ground debris more smoothly while also clear the kitchen sink pipes of any residue.  

3. Clean The Sink Regularly Using Effective Cleaning Agents 

Many artificial cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Aside from this, some of them can also cause corrosion on the kitchen pipes, which will lead to further clogging if not prevented. Instead of using chemical-based cleaners, it’s better to use natural cleaners that can be found in your pantry, such as vinegar and baking soda. These options are easily sourced and are also relatively inexpensive compared to artificial cleaners.  

Vinegar works as a safe, easily accessible solvent that can help remove food and grease buildup in the drain. It can also act as a natural cleaner for other kitchen surfaces and help neutralize odors in the kitchen. To clean your kitchen with vinegar, you can pour a cup of the liquid down the drain and wait for half an hour before rinsing it with hot water. You can repeat this process at least once a week to prevent buildups.  

You can also use a combination of vinegar and soda to clean and deodorize your sink. To do this, you need to mix two cups of vinegar with a cup of baking soda and let the mixture sit on the drain for around 15 minutes. Afterward, you can rinse the fizz off with hot tap water.  

4.  Use A Mesh Strainer 

Using a mesh strainer to prevent food scraps from getting trapped under the sink is one of the simplest yet most effective solutions to clogging. Filtering out food debris can also help minimize or eliminate unpleasant odors from residual buildups in the pipes. If the water in the sink takes too long to flow out, you may need to clean your mesh strainer. You can do this by tapping out all the particles stuck in it over the trash can after washing the dishes.  

Conclusion 

Everyone in the household should observe proper care and usage of the kitchen sink to protect it from damage. This is especially true for households with bigger families, where food is prepared in bigger quantities and with greater frequency.  That said, it’s essential to let all the members know how to correctly dispose of kitchen waste and clean the sink after use. This way, you’ll be able to prolong the lifespan of your garbage disposal and kitchen sink.