“Spring break” can have a totally different meaning if your residential plumbing starts acting up. The good news? When it comes to the kitchen, there are five common plumbing complaints—and a good plumber will know exactly where to start. With so many fixtures and pipes, from the hot/cold water supply to the waste pipes, it can be seemingly impossible to get a handle on them all. As part of your spring cleaning routine, make sure to schedule your bi-annual plumbing inspection. Already suspect something’s not right? Check out these common kitchen issues, what might be wrong and what your plumber may recommend: Faucet Issues There are a number of things that can go wrong with faucets, and they’re often fixed by taking them apart and perhaps replacing or repairing small parts. Something as tiny as a washer or seal can give you a serious headache when all you want to do is pre-rinse your dishes. If you’re in the market for a new faucet, make sure you keep the instruction manual if you are on a DIY streak. There are many affordable faucet repair kits, but the best (and least stressful) way to tackle it is with a professional plumber's help. Dishwasher ruckus If your dishwasher is louder than you think it should be, it likely has a faulty part. However, start by making sure you’re loading the dishes correctly—stuck debris or a wayward fork might be the only issue. You may also need to adjust the feet. However, if there’s an inlet valve that’s on its last leg or a more serious issue, let your plumber handle it. Garbage disposal problems Great news—most garbage disposal problems are an easy fix. However, since these units are also very affordable, you might be better off replacing the whole thing. Usually, something gets stuck that shouldn’t be in the disposal, such as bones, metal, husks, etc. Buildup can also cause a problem, in which case ice mixed with rock salt can be your saving grace (or warm water with lemon for bad smells). However, keep in mind that this is a dangerous system and that you should rely on a pro for repairs. Water flow concerns Have you noticed that your faucet’s water flow is off? That’s likely an aerator issue, which can get blocked. It might just need a good scrubbing (a toothbrush does the trick) or it may need to be replaced. If you don’t have a “plumbing background”, it can be tough to fix kitchen concerns yourself. Plus, you might do more harm than good. Since a spring inspection is wise anyway, use this time to ask your plumber about any issues that have popped up.
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