How to Prevent Kitchen Sink Leaks

Ingrid PerezBlogs

How to Prevent Kitchen Sink Leaks

Whether coming from the faucet fixture above your sink, or the drainage pipes below, a leak is bad news. Major leaks can cause a big mess that damages your belongings and takes hours to clean, while small leaks can almost be worse because they are difficult to notice and can carry on for weeks before their cumulative effect becomes impossible to ignore.

Avoid mold, water damage, and high utility bills by taking preventative action. (After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!) Let’s take a look at a few of the most effective tips that you can use to keep your kitchen in excellent condition for years to come.

Perform a layman’s check up on a regular basis.

Some problems clearly require a plumber to fix. But what many people don’t realize is that seeing what’s wrong with a plumbing setup is oftentimes relatively easy, even if fixing the issue takes an expert. Of course, the key to doing this is to look closely. If you dedicate a bit of time say, once every two weeks or even once a month, to doing a walkthrough of your kitchen and your house, inspecting your piping system closely, you will likely notice minor issues before they have time to become major headaches.

Insulate pipes that come in contact with exterior spaces.

For houses that are up to code, this isn’t likely to be a big issue — but in the real world, not every plumber follows the rules as closely as they should, and the result is that some piping reaches outdoor spaces in many homes. Even in many parts of Arizona, sub-zero temperatures do strike once in a blue moon, so ensuring that pipes with exterior exposure are adequately insulated as to prevent freeze damage is important.

Keep storage spaces tidy.

If the space under your kitchen sink is a mess of house cleaners and other seldom-used items, you’re probably not alone. However, this setup poses a risk for your kitchen sink space, as this makes it difficult to notice slow leaks until the water that accumulates below causes enough damage to reach the floor. Keeping this space tidy will make it easier to notice leaks in time to respond adequately without a huge time commitment or budget.

Remember that most leaks are caused by simple issues.

A loose washer alone can cause a leak — so your first reaction if you see water dripping incessantly should be to cut off water to that fixture and try tightening every part possible. There’s a chance that doing this could fix your problem before any damage is done, and without needing to call a plumber. Of course, if you do need help, then asking for it in as prompt a manner as possible is recommendable. Here at Plumbing by Jake, we offer a full range of services, including 24 hour emergency plumbing support, so be sure to get in touch if you need our help!