The kitchen is the heart of the home. Yet, many of us take our kitchen plumbing for granted every day. Unfortunately, plumbing issues do happen, often at the worst time. However, Houston plumbing repairs from a reputable plumber can help get you back to normal in no time. There are many different potential plumbing problems that can occur in your kitchen. Let’s go over some of the common plumbing issues in the kitchen, common causes, and some fixes you can try before you call a plumber.
What are Some Common Houston Plumbing Repairs in the Kitchen?
Just like anything else in your home, any number of things can break and cause issues with your kitchen plumbing system. However, some repairs are much more common than others. There may even be some simple repairs you can do yourself for some of these issues. Here are some plumbing problems we see in kitchens frequently:
Houston Plumbing Repairs for Low Water Pressure
If you’re dealing with low water pressure in your kitchen, there might be several causes. One of the first things to do is determine if it is only at that specific fixture, like your kitchen faucet, or if it’s a problem throughout your home. If it’s a house-wide water pressure problem, then there’s likely something pretty large at play, such as a break in the city water main or in the water supply pipe leading to your home from the municipal line. This may require extensive Houston plumbing repairs, so it’s important to call your plumber right away for major water pressure issues.
However, if you have low water pressure just in your kitchen faucet, then you may just have mineral buildup in the faucet aerator. Faucet aerators help reduce how much water comes out of a faucet at any one time by adding in air. These devices look like small grates on the end of the faucet where the water comes out. If you have hard water, calcium and limescale can build up and block the small openings in the aerator, reducing the water pressure from the faucet. To fix this, all you generally need to do is take the aerator off the faucet and soak it in vinegar to help break up the mineral build up.
Stopped Kitchen Sink Drains
Another really common kitchen plumbing issue you might run into in the kitchen is a clogged drain. This might look like a complete stoppage or slow moving drains. This can happen anywhere, but frequently happens in the kitchen sink. Generally, this is due to putting fats, oils, grease, or solids (FOGS) down the drain, which coats the pipe and makes it narrower. Over time, the buildup of FOGS and other debris can make it nearly impossible for water to flow through the drain.
In some cases, you may be able to clear the clog yourself by using a drain plunger to create suction and force the clog down. You can also try putting some baking soda down your drain and following up with vinegar. The fizzy mixture may help break up the clog. Then, pour hot water down the drain to help flush the clog away. If these issues don’t work, you may need a 24 hr. plumber in Houston to clear the kitchen sink clog.
Houston Plumbing Repairs for Leaky Kitchen Faucet
Many people have encountered a leaky kitchen faucet before. You might hear the drip, drip at night when it’s quiet. You might think it’s no big deal, but it can actually waste a lot of water each year. Also, a dripping, leaky faucet is typically the first sign of wear and tear or damage to your kitchen faucet. Fortunately, these are often easy to fix. In most cases, it’s due to wear on a small component that is fairly easy to replace. For instance, in many cases dripping faucets are due to a worn-out rubber gasket or O-ring. In other cases, you may need to replace the cartridge in the faucet or the entire faucet itself. If you need help, our team can help find and repair the problem.
Water Leaks Under the Kitchen Sink
If you’ve opened the cabinet under your sink to discover a leak and water damage, in most cases it’s due to the under-sink plumbing, like the p-trap drain. One of the first things to do is make sure all the connections are tight. A loose connection may have let water from the drain leak out. In other cases, you might find that there’s a small crack or hole in the plumbing. In this case, you will need a plumber to replace the drain pipe to avoid further issues.
Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal
A malfunctioning garbage disposal can look like a lot of different things. However, the most common issue is that you flip the switch for the disposal and nothing happens. This can be an issue with either the electricity or the garbage disposal itself. If you turn on the garbage disposal and it doesn’t make any sound, then it generally is the electrical system. Check to see if the red reset button on the disposal is pushed out. If so, push it back in and it should fire right up. Don’t forget it may also be that you flipped a circuit breaker, so check there as well.
However, if you hear the garbage disposal motor running, but the blades aren’t turning, typically there’s something stuck in the blades. You may have accidentally let a piece of bone, a fruit pit, or something else go down the garbage disposal that isn’t supposed to. Make sure to turn off the disposal and also flip off the circuit breaker for good measure. If you can see the object causing the jam, you can try to remove it with some tongs or pliers (never put your hands down the garbage disposal, even if you’re sure it’s off). If you can’t see it, generally there will be an area on the disposal where you can use a hex (or allen) wrench to turn the blades manually. Try twisting back and forth to dislodge the jam. If that doesn’t work or there’s a different issue, you may need professional Houston plumbing repairs.
Houston Plumbing Repairs for Dishwasher Leaks
A leaky dishwasher is a huge concern, as it can cause a lot of water damage in your home. There may be several different causes, some of them easier to fix than others. For instance, it may be that the rubber door gasket may be worn out and letting water leak out that way. That is generally a pretty easy thing to replace. In other cases, it may be that the drain hose has come loose. You might be able to stop the leak by tightening the hose clamps or by replacing the hose. In other cases, you may need a plumber to help diagnose and repair the issue.
Need a 24 Hr. Plumber in Houston? Dependable, Affordable Services at Santhoff Plumbing Company
If you’re looking for Houston’s best plumbing company, look no further than Santhoff Plumbing. We’ve been providing high quality services to the Greater Houston area since 1974! Our expert team of licensed and qualified plumbers can help with everything from repairing plumbing issues like leaks to installing new gas lines for outdoor cooking appliances. You get peace of mind when Santhoff Plumbing is on the job. We go above and beyond to triple-check everything and ensure that your plumbing is safe and in good condition. Schedule plumbing service online today or give us a call 24/7 at (713) 360-2185 for emergency repairs.