Your Santa Maria plumbers here at Griffin Plumbing certainly know the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink.” While we may use it sarcastically, that couldn’t describe better what, well, the kitchen sink takes on every day. Dishes, food prep, disposal – it can even serve as a dog-bathing station.
Bottom line, the kitchen sink is generally the last thing in your house that you want malfunctioning. So, Santa Maria’s best plumbers have put together three kitchen sink tips to make sure it’s ready to meet your every last need.
1. Don’t Ignore Leaks
You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Those seemingly little leaks can add up. On average, a leaky faucet can drip through up to eight gallons of water every day.
But what’s more is they hardly ever just fix themselves; that means a little leak is likely to turn into a bigger one, and it may not always come from apparent places like the faucet. Checking under your sink for moisture is a sure-fire way to diagnose a pipe leak.
Next step is fixing it. A leaky base might require a new O-ring, while a leaky spout might simply require some manual tightening.
Good, old-fashioned plumber’s tape is always a last resort, at least until the pros can diagnose and fix that drip properly.
2. Keep it Clean
Giving your sink basin a deep clean beyond just the regular quick rinse is a good way to lengthen the life span of all its components. The type of cleaning depends on the material it’s made from:
Stainless steel: This material stands up to stains and is far less likely to rust than most types of sinks, but acidic foods, bleach and abrasive scrubbers can damage its finish. Instead of bleach or other bleach-based sprays, use baking soda instead.
White sink: These surfaces are most susceptible to rust and food stains, especially when it comes to coffee and wine. Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to help lift stains and restore the surface to its original state.
Porcelain sink: Glossy porcelain sinks tend to highlight stains and rust spots, as well. You can use the same cleaning method as white sinks for stains, but to remove rust simply sprinkle salt on a lemon half and scrub it directly on the spot in question.
Of course, any type of faucet can be cleaned with soapy water, but there’s always ways to go a little bit deeper. Use a toothbrush for those super hard-to-reach areas. And if you’re still seeing white spots, which is lime buildup from water, add a spoonful of vinegar to the soapy water mixture to do the trick.
3. Practice Proper Disposal Prolongation
The first step is making sure nothing improper goes down the drain. But if the smells emanating from your kitchen drain and/or disposal are on the funky side, it’s definitely time for a deep clean.
For the drain, BioOne is a safe solution that uses bacteria to eliminate odious odors – and it can even maintain your drain too.
To get rid of the garbage disposal’s nastiness, stuff a few lemon wedges, salt, and ice cubes into the disposal. Then, with the cold water running, flip the switch until the ice is gone.
For more tips on freshening up your kitchen sink or if you’re dealing with a more complicated issue, our professional Santa Maria plumbers are a call or click away.
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