Time and Money-Saving Tips for Kitchen Maintenance
Many homeowners overlook the importance of kitchen maintenance. While it may be easier not to schedule routine maintenance checks, the outcome can be disastrous. Homeowners shouldn’t let any appliance breakdowns ruin this holiday season. This article supplies a handy list of what will need a tuning-up to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
Is It Time To Replace the Kitchen Faucet?
The kitchen faucet is one of the most multi-functional kitchen features. It is needed for clean hands for food preparation, cleaning the food itself, and tackling that mountain of dishes. When this essential tool is not performing at its full capability, it can cause a wealth of headaches and hassles.
Homeowners should keep an eye out for these signs that it is time to retire the old faucet:
- Mineral deposits – Build-up from mineral deposits in water is not only unsightly; it can affect the functionality of the gasket, filters, flanges, and faucet. If left unchecked, the minerals can even damage the pipes, particularly steel pipes.
- The faucet isn’t getting any younger – A kitchen faucet should last between 15 – 20 years. Age expectancy can change depending on the faucet’s quality and its use over the years. One sign that it is time to let the faucet enjoy its golden years is a noticeable drop in water pressure.
- Leaks – A faucet leak can indicate various problems. A leak could be solved by simply tightening the adjusting ring. However, if simple fixes have less than satisfactory results, the leak could result from a much more serious problem. If a faucet does not stop leaking or dripping, call a plumber to have them assess the situation and see if a replacement is warranted.
- Rust – A faucet can have internal as well as external rust. If the faucet handle is hard to turn, or if the water is slow to come out, that can mean that there is already internal corrosion. Once rust is visible around the base or the faucet\’s spigot, the faucet will work less than optimally and may develop leaking problems.
Dazzle Holiday Guests With a Chic New Kitchen Sink
Even sinks eventually need to be replaced. While acrylic sinks can last about 50 years and copper, porcelain, and glass extend to 20 years, the popular enameled steel sink may last only ten years. Structural damage to a sink, such as cracks, may need an immediate replacement.
Some problems with kitchen sinks may not be so easily spotted. Watch for squeaky noises when turning on the water, clanking noises while the water flows, inconsistent water streams, and leaks. These may only seem like nuances, but any of these issues could signal a bigger problem.
Make Thanksgiving Dinner an Easy Cleanup with Disposal Maintenance
Garbage disposals may be most known for taking the hassle out of disposing of food waste, but they are so much more. A good garbage disposal can help avoid clogs, improve drainage, and help food remnants become small enough to mix with wastewater and avoid a plumbing catastrophe.
With proper maintenance, a garbage disposal can last up to 15 years as long as users are aware of their limits and remember to run them with water. Homeowners should call a plumber for an assessment if there are odd sounds and no easily removable obstacle is seen, there are bad smells that no amount of rinsing can remove, the disposal will not turn on, or there is a leak. Addressing the problem from the start could prevent a complete replacement.
About American Eagle Plumbing
With the family-owned and operated American Eagle Plumbing, every Round Rock, TX neighbor receives first-rate service. Their trucks come prepared for every job with tools and parts for possible surprises, and while they might be prepared for the unexpected, no one else has to be with their flat-rate pricing. Call them for expert kitchen plumbing services.