Clogged drains, leaking pipes, and foul smells – kitchen sink plumbing problems can crop up at any time. Learn how to recognise such issues before you face costly repairs.
Turn off the water supply under your sink by shutting the valve that controls it (turn the little wheel clockwise). Allow water to flow through each basin, find each pipe connection, and look for leaks there.
Drains
Only the waste water will flow down the sink drain because of the p-trap, which prevents the stench of sewer gas. Other parts of the sink drain assembly are the drainpipe connection, also known as the tailpiece, and the drainage line pipes, also known as the drainage stack or hub. There are many available drain assemblies that can host a sink and a faucet; if you’re looking for the most successful drain pipe job, you should look for drainage pipes with ‘Schedule 40’ thick plastic parts welded together with solvent cement. Slip nuts can hold together pipes of different diameters. Below the surface, you might find an extra washer that can constantly press on the slip nut to keep it tight and seal any leaks.
It is real enemy No.1. Bits of food and debris that get dropped and washed down the drain and into the pipe are the third biggest threat to your drain and pipes, so don’t let food scraps get inside and jam it up. Use your garbage disposal every day, but grind up food scraps – this helps to avoid a clogged drain; or run your kitchen sink with one cup of vinegar every two months because acetic acid in vinegar helps to strip off deposits adhered inside the pipe and keeps everything fresh and clear.
Faucets
Kitchen sink plumbing can be best appreciated through their faucets, which are some of its most recognizable elements, routinely used and seen. There are countless options available, in different styles to meet aesthetic and functional requirements in any given kitchen space; the simple ones offer hot and cold water, while the more advanced options have pull-out heads that allow for hand washing dishes from a closer distance.
You can choose whether it is going to be installed in a single- or double-hole construction and take into account the kitchen layout and size. Spout design is also really important at this stage, as you can choose straight, curved or gooseneck spout shape. Getting an aerator can improve the flow while decreasing water consumption.
This will avoid drain plugs from food scraps being placed in drain pipes and will be prevented by a trashcan or a garbage disposal. More over, the drain will be kept clear of any plugs by a regular flushing with a drain cleaner.
Supply lines
Supply lines go from a sink faucet to the nearest water source. They are made with copper, CPVC or PEX pipe. A house may have hot and cold water valves under the sink for a hot and cold water supply. The supply lines may be rigid or flexible, depending on the plumbing arrangements.
Food remains, grease and environmental conditions can lead to clogged kitchen sink piping systems. Proper installation of the system, taking care when using the piping by maintaining it regularly, and avoid pouring grease into your drainage system may prevent a clogged system in the future, and help you keep the efficiency of the system.
Kitchen sink piping systems are complex systems, consisting of various parts and components, designed to provide a steady and safe supply of fresh and clean water while also disposing of wastewater to the appropriate locations – under the control of the homeowner or occupants – in the right manner. Exploring its components will give you more appreciation of the complexity associated with your plumbing system within your home, and enable its functionality. Install or service your kitchen sink piping with the help of a plumber – they will advise you on the type of parts and tools to use for each job.
Vent lines
The piping that takes sewage gases away are called vent lines. Without vent lines, your sink will fill with smelly sewage odours. However you plan to vent the sink, be sure to check with your local codes about what’s allowed before getting started.
One approach is being attached to a vent stack that connects to the roof from your house; or a studor valve, a hinged system that opens by the force of wastewater draining and then shuts by gravity to prevent sewer gas from entering rooms – you might not be permitted to do this everywhere.
Loop vents can also be used with freestanding fixtures, such as an island sink, also known as an island sink vent or Chicago loop vent. In some jurisdictions, they will be approved as a great way to tie fixtures that cannot have their vent connect directly above them, such as the case of island sinks. Consisting of a P-trap and vent line running underneath the floor of an island sink cabinet.
