What You Need to Know About Kitchen Sink Repair and Common Problems

Your kitchen sink plays an important part in your kitchen. Dealing with leaky faucets or a clogged sink can disrupt your daily life and routine. That's why you need to know what to do in case of a sink catastrophe that requires kitchen sink repair—including when to call in your local Vancouver plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver BC.

Common Kitchen Sink Problems

If you've got a faulty fixture that needs kitchen sink repair, then you know that it's a frustrating problem. Not only does it disrupt your daily life, but it can also cause massive water loss and grossly increase your monthly water bill. Additionally, any standing water in your sink can encourage mold growth, while clogs can cause foul odors to permeate your kitchen.

Often, you can easily identify and fix most problems with your sink yourself. Here are the most common problems you might experience that require kitchen sink repair and some possible solutions.

Clogged Sink Drains

Although it's recommended that you don't, some people do flush garbage and other food debris down their kitchen sink to dispose of it. However, that debris can clog up your sink drain and cause you to need kitchen sink repair. When it comes to persistent or stubborn clogs, you can call in a licensed plumber to deal with the problem.

To avoid clogging up your sink, you should never put the following down your sink drain:

• Milk and other dairy products
• Coffee grounds
• Flour
• Fruits and vegetable peelings
• Bones of any size
• Pasta and rice
• Eggshells
• Cooking oils, grease, and other fats.

Instead of disposing of these through your drain, you should dispose of them in your garbage bin. As well, you should never pour chemicals like paint down the sink drain due to their corrosive nature, as you’ll find yourself needing not only kitchen sink repair but potentially drain line replacement as well.

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets cause a lot of wasted water each day. The leading causes of a leaky faucet that needs kitchen sink repair are worn-out washers or broken cartridges. Other causes might include broken O-rings and inconsistent water pressure.

When it comes to kitchen sink repair for a leaky faucet, the right strategy greatly depends on the type of faucet. Some examples might include replacing a seat washer on a compression faucet or installing a new seal to stop leakage in a ceramic disk faucet. You can also tighten all the screws to try and fix the issue.

Low Water Pressure

If you start noticing low water pressure when using your sink, but you're not having that problem with other taps, then your kitchen sink has a problem. There are many things that can cause low water pressure, which include:

• Faulty pressure-reducing valves
• Leaky pipes
• Ineffective cartridges
• Damaged water lines
• Clogged aerators
• Leaky toilets

When it comes to a clogged aerator, various kinds of debris can cause clogs to form. If that's the cause of your faucet's low water pressure, then disassemble the aerator and clean out the sediment build-up. If the problem persists, then your culprit might be hard water. In such a case, calling your plumber to install a water softener will help.

If you need kitchen sink repair to fix or replace fault valves, cartridges, drain pipes, and water lines, it’s necessary to call an expert plumber to come in and replace or repair them. If you're noticing that these problems persist, despite all of the above kitchen sink repairs, then you likely will need to contact your utility provider.

Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal

For those with a garbage disposal, your kitchen sink can use what is known as either a continuous or batch disposal system. However, there are a couple of problems that can affect either system and require kitchen sink repair services.

If there's an electrical malfunction, then your garbage disposal might not turn on at all. You'll notice that the motor isn't producing that distinctive humming sound. Installing a new circuit breaker can help solve the electrical problem, or you can call in an electrician to fix the wiring if that's the cause.

However, in some cases the motor might start humming, but the garbage disposal fails to work or work properly. The malfunction is typically caused by the motor blades not functioning properly. If that's the case, you can either let the garbage disposal cool off or reset the entire system. If the blades still aren't turning after doing the above, then that might mean you need to replace the motor or blades.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Kitchen Sink?

When it comes to today's popular options, there are lots of types of kitchen sinks to choose from. From undermount sinks to farmhouse and apron-style sinks, it can be a little bit overwhelming at first. But getting a new sink installed can be a little pricey, ranging anywhere from $380 up to $1,400. This is because they usually require replacing the countertop surface or other significant repairs, not to mention the wide range of style choices.

How Do You Do Kitchen Sink Repair for a Leaky Fixture?

You can start DIY kitchen sink repair yourself if you're handy enough. You can start by tightening up the pipe slip nuts, beginning with those closest to the sink. If the pipe is still leaking, try sealing around the slip nuts with an epoxy putty or silicone tape. More stubborn leaks might require replacing the rubber gaskets.

Why Does My Faucet Keep Dripping?

The most common cause of a leaking faucet is one of the following: a worn-out washer or gasket, corrosion in the valve seat, or a loose O-ring. Most of these problems are easily detected and solved with experienced kitchen sink repair service.

Can a Leaky Faucet Increase My Water Bill?

When it comes to a leaking or dripping faucet, yes it can absolutely increase your water bill—by up to 10% each month. With the rising cost of water, this can add up substantially over several months or even a year. This is one of the reasons it’s more cost-effective to simply invest in kitchen sink repair.

Need Help With Kitchen Sink Repair? Call the Experts!

If you're having problems with hot water, the flow of water, or a leaky faucet, and need a kitchen sink repair you can rely on, then trust the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver BC. Whether you have an undermount sink or a stainless steel sink, we can help get it working again.

We offer a number of additional services, including installation services for hot water heaters and toilets. Whatever plumbing services you find yourself in need of, our expert plumbers are here to help.