Your kitchen sink performs multiple tasks to keep your home going, from washing produce to preparing dinner. However, there is a problem when it clogs, causes a foul smell, and disrupts your ability to perform the actions you need to keep flowing. This is because of grease, food scraps, or general build-up from age, which leads to the sink being clogged and not operating as effectively as it should. Proper maintenance can help curb foul odors and blockages, which subsequently helps save time, aggravation, and resources. We will discuss some simple yet effective techniques that can be useful in maintaining the kitchen sink.
What Creates a Kitchen Sink Drain Clog?
A blockage will occur if and only if one allows it, which implies we can avoid these issues. Here are the most common causes:
Food Waste: When the plates are washed and cleaned, leftover food accumulates in the sink over time.
Oils and Greases: Pouring oil down the drains is a common mistake. Although the grease is generally liquid, it will solidify and stick to the pipes when it cools.
Another reason for clogged pipes in your household can be random items getting stuck in the drain, such as utensils or bottle caps. Let’s be honest: even when we try our best, we can’t avoid some things.
Don’t worry; let’s discuss some tips for preventing your kitchen sink drain from clogging.
Daily Maintenance to Keep Your Drain Running Smoothly
Prevention is the key to keeping everything intact, especially your kitchen drain. To achieve that, here are some tips:
Use Drain Strainer: A drain strainer is the simplest and most effective tool for keeping your kitchen sink drain clear of blockages. This cheap tool prevents hair, food, or debris from accumulating in other house areas. Just empty the filter after every use so it remains functional. To avoid pouring grease down the drain, Pour it into a disposable container and allow it to sit so it can harden. Finally, throw it in the garbage. This is all you need to do. You won’t have to deal with grease again clogging your pipes.
Run Hot Water: After doing the dishes, use hot water for 15-30 seconds. It disintegrates any grease or soap that may have accumulated, ensuring proper drainage. Doing it after every use will help prevent clogging.
Ways to Stop Odors Coming from the Kitchen Sink
Even with proper drainage, it is not uncommon for kitchen sinks to produce some nasty smells. Here is how to prevent that from happening:
Hot Water Running: Hot water can prevent sink drainage blockages and eliminate odor sources inside the pipes.
Citrus Peels in Sinks: If your kitchen has a garbage disposal unit, you can put lemon or orange peels in it to help eliminate bad smells.
Deep Clean Once A Month: Try to do a monthly deep clean, but this time, ensure that there is hot water and a mix of vinegar and baking soda beforehand. This way, the bacteria and any deposit that causes an odor can be dealt with.
These are small, easy ways to keep your drains flowing and your kitchen smelling delicious.
When To Call A Professional
Many people can manage minor blockages and mild odors by themselves through regular care and upkeep, but there are some cases where it’s best to let the experts handle it. Here are a few instances when it may be prudent to call True Blue Plumbing.
Pause Drain Flow: if your pipe pauses during the draining process, there is likely mainly a buildup across the tube due to grease and other deposits, so scheduling a plumber to fix this can save you trouble and time.
Recurrent Blockages: Whenever a blockage persists, a diagnosis needs to be made to determine the level of blockage. A blockage will not allow liquids to pass, which indicates a greater degree of blockage deep within the pipes.
Drain Cleaning Services Offered by True Blue Plumbing: Over time, grease and food debris can get stuck in the pipes, causing persistent foul smells even after a thorough cleaning. Sink drains are often overlooked until the water backs into the sink, exacerbating your plumbing problem.
After all
Looking after your kitchen sink plumbing is much simpler than most people think. Being mindful of these simple tips will save you in the long run. By maintaining your drains, you will avoid the worst problems in the future, which are smelly and broken kitchen plumbing. However, if you still have issues or a more significant problem, feel free to make an appointment with True Blue Plumbing.
