Kitchen plumbing is something that the average person does not think about during the course of a day. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance that most homeowners don’t think twice about any of the main systems of their home unless something goes wrong. The plumbing in your kitchen is unique in that most people don’t see it as something truly dangerous or off-putting, but that is a mistake.
Home maintenance experts tend to agree that your kitchen’s plumbing is as vital as any of the plumbing found in your home. This makes sense given the amount of time & energy we spend dedicated to our kitchens. These rooms tend to be centers of activity even beyond the area of our home where we cook. If you happen to have a large island, you may have seating available right in the middle of the kitchen. If your dining area is right off of the kitchen, this is the place where family meetings, college applications, and daily homework take place. When you put it into perspective, your kitchen plumbing is pretty important.
As with anything about your home, it is important to be as proactive as possible. Take the lead & learn all that you can to help maintain your kitchen plumbing rather than pay attention only when disaster strikes.
Here are five things homeowners should keep in mind about the plumbing in their kitchen that can sometimes be missed:
1. Measure Everything – In the event that you decide to change something as uneventful as your kitchen faucet or sink, you need to be sure to measure not only what you’re planning on buying, but you need to be sure that what is being bought will actually work with any new cabinetry that may be needed. If there are any discrepancies, you may have to have some extra work done, which means added time & money.
2. Shut-Off Locations – You may have a situation where you will have to shut-off the water to your kitchen plumbing. In the event of repair or emergency, you need to know where this is to avoid major water damage issues.
3. Augers & Plungers – These are rudimentary tools that everyone seems to find no use of, but it turns out that they are the first line of defense when it comes to dealing with clogs. You don’t even have to be of a DIY mindset – it just makes good sense to keep basic tools close.
4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals – It can be tempting to want to go out & buy the latest clog-fighting bottled miracle for any issues you may have in your kitchen sink, but you might be doing more harm than good. While the chemicals in these solutions works against the clog, they can also work on the integrity of your pipes.
5. Have A Pro Handy – Though you may only call a plumbing professional during a plumbing emergency, it’s not a bad idea to build a relationship with a local, dependable plumber. They can not only fix things in a hurry, but they can be invaluable in doing periodic checks on your overall plumbing to avoid major issues down the line.