The kitchen sink is a simple, yet versatile plumbing fixture in your Boca Raton house. From cleaning dishes to washing vegetables and fruits, the kitchen sink makes your life considerably easier. However, a sudden clog or leak can turn your after-lunch cleanup, especially on a relaxing Sunday afternoon, into a nightmare.
Unfortunately, kitchen sink problems such as leaks and clogs are more common than you think. While it is better to call an experienced and trusted plumber in Boca Raton, there are a few things you can do, especially if you are into DIY solutions.
Let’s take a look at a few kitchen sink issues and how you can take care of plumbing the sink yourself.
A. Removing Kitchen Sink Clogs in Your Boca Raton House
Clogging is one of the most common issues with a kitchen sink. Sometimes, the draining will get slower over time before it stops working completely. However, it may also stop working without any warning signs.
Fortunately, you will be able to remove the clog with one of the following techniques:
1. Use Hot (Boiling) Water
Boiling water can fix clogs caused by debris such as hairs, food particles, and grease stuck in your drainage pipes. Boil some water in a kettle and simply pour the hot water down the drain.
Keep repeating this process until you see the drain working properly. However, you shouldn’t try this method if your drainage pipes are made of PVC. The boiling water will damage these pipes.
2. Use a Plunger
Another simple solution to remove clogs is to use a plunger. Make sure to use a flat-bottom plunger. Add boiling water to the sink. Create a seal around the drain and start plunging up and down rapidly.
Wait for a few seconds to see if the water is draining. You can try plunging several times if the water doesn’t drain. Repeat the process until the drain starts working properly.
3. Use a Plumber’s Snake
Your third option is to use a plumber’s snake. It’s a coiled metal wire that you can use to remove a clog using physical force. You can insert it deep into the pipe and then pull it out to remove any clogs.
You will see better results if you remove the clogs in the drainage pipe from under the sink. To do that, you will need to unscrew the U-trap using your hands (for PVC pipes) or a wrench (for metal pipes). Drain the excess water into a bucket.
Now, insert the plumber’s snake into the pipe and remove the clog. Once you are finished, reattach the pipe and check the connections for leaks.
B. Plumbing Kitchen Sink Leaks in Your Boca Raton House
As an experienced plumber in Boca Raton, we come across kitchen sink leaks more often than you can imagine. You are likely to face one of the following types of leaks.
1. Drainage Leaks
Anything from an old and rusty pipe to dried and worn-out plumber’s putty can lead to drainage leaks. To find out where the leak is coming from, plug your sink, fill it up with water, and then unplug it. While the water drains, scan the drainage pipes under the sink using a flashlight to see where the leak is.
If the sink strainer is leaking, you will need to tighten it. If the problem persists, you will need to remove the sink strainer. After removing the strainer, scrap off the old worn-out layer of plumber’s putty. Then, you will need to add a fresh layer of putty.
Now, press a new sink strainer firmly into the putty. Tighten the sink strainer from under the sink and test the new connection for leaks.
2. Faucet Leaks
You can easily spot these leaks. Usually, worn-out gaskets or washers are responsible for faucet leaks, which you need to replace. First, you should turn off the water supply to the faucet and plug the drain.
Unscrew the faucet from the sink and replace the old washer or gasket with a new one. Reattach the faucet and check the connection for leaks. If the problem continues, you may have to replace the entire faucet.
3. Water Supply Leaks
Loose water supply connections can also cause leaks. A worn-out gasket or rusty old pipes can cause leaks. Most sinks have two water supplies, but the ones with a sprayer may also have three. Make sure to turn them off first.
You can try tightening all the connections or replacing the gasket to stop the leaks. If this doesn’t work, you will most probably need more advanced plumbing work done. So, you should call the best plumber in Boca Raton to have a look at your sink.
Parting Words
It is possible to repair kitchen sink clogs and leaks by yourself. However, if you are not much of a DIY enthusiast, you are better off calling a professional plumber in Boca Raton. A plumber can provide you with a long-lasting solution, offering value for money. However, if you do want to take the DIY route, the above tips should help.
