Your kitchen sink might be small as compared to the size of your kitchen, but this vital kitchen tool can pose larger problems when things start to gurgle, clog, or leak. A little bit of knowledge will help you solve the smaller problems without having to call for a plumber, but it is better to gain some knowledge first before attempting to open any part. You do not want to get embarrassed by calling in the plumber after opening your faucet or kitchen drain. You might not be able to stand the gleeful look on your plumber’s face when he/she enters into your kitchen.
There are a number of parts that make up your kitchen sink. They are your kitchen faucet, your kitchen bowl, drain basket, and garbage disposal unit. Let’s take a look at the common problems that could afflict your kitchen sink and ways to solve them.
Leaky Or Clogged Kitchen Faucet. If you have a clogged kitchen faucet, then first check the end from which the water spouts out. It could be the aerator that is fitted at the end of your faucet. You can unscrew it and check for any solid particles stuck to it. Put your faucet on without the aerator for some time so that any backlog too is pushed out. Screw the aerator back on and check if your problem has been solved. If the faucet drips water even when it is closed then it could be because of a worn “O” ring. You will need to close the valve going to that faucet before attempting to open it. Once you have opened it, remove the faulty “O” ring and replace it with a new one. If it is damaged beyond recognition, then you can click a photo of your faucet on your digital camera or mobile and show it to your plumbing store.
Clogged Drain. This is one of the most common problems, especially if you do not have a garbage disposal at the bottom of your drain. Pieces of meat and vegetables can get stuck in the pipe below the sink and cause water to back-up. If you do not have a garbage disposal, then you might need to use a plunger or any chemical drain cleaner commonly available at plumbing stores. These should do the trick unless a big piece of bone has strategically lodged itself in the corner elbow, in which case calling a plumber would be a safer option. In case you have a garbage disposal, then shut off the unit in case the motor has overheated and pour some cold water down the drain to help it cool off faster. If your unit has a reset button on the side then push it and try again. At the same time, you could also try a plunger to force the blockage out of the other end. If you can see a piece of bone stuck in the blades of the unit then insert a pair of tweezers into the blades, but only after you UNPLUG the unit.
Leaking Drain Basket. If your drain basket strainer is leaking then sealing it with a sealant will not solve the problem, you will need to change out the basket strainer, it’s not difficult to do if your prepared and have the right tools you might be able to save some money, remember always buy the best more expensive parts they are usually of better quality.
Garbage disposal stopped working. First using a broom handle make sure the teeth are rotating, usually the garbage disposal will jam and shut down due to a piece of glass or bone. Once the teeth are moving freely, push the red reset button on it’s underside and try the power switch, this usually does the trick, if it still doesn’t work it will probably need to be replaced, to save money you could buy the model you like and have there when the plumber arrives. If your adventurous you could replace it yourself.
Fixing these simple problems is quite easy if you have the right tools and are handy with your hands. In case you are unable to solve the problem, then do not hesitate to call in your plumber to sort it out. Ignoring it or delaying it can cause further damage to your kitchen sink.
