Tag: kitchen

Don't Let Clogged Kitchen Sinks Ruin Summer Cookout Fun!

Keep the Kitchen Sink Clear for Fourth of July Fun!

Independence Day is just around the corner, which means fun summer cookouts with family and friends are a must. This also means that the kitchen will be going full-throttle soon! The kitchen sink will be in high demand given all that cooking and cleanup.

Homeowners should understand best practices for their kitchen sinks, as backups and clogging can often occur when the kitchen sink is in high use. Read on to learn about common kitchen sink pitfalls to avoid and why doing so is important!

drain

Limit Food Waste and Coffee Grounds

One of the most common pitfalls to avoid is depositing excess food waste and coffee grounds into the kitchen sink. At a base level, this will help to prevent foul odors that often arise when old waste accumulates in the sink – sometimes, this waste is hard to see down the drain. Still, homeowners and their families will surely be able to smell it after a few days or even a few hours!

More importantly, excess food waste and coffee grounds can clog the sink drains. For coffee grounds, in particular, homeowners should avoid putting these down the sink. Instead, they should throw them out or, better yet, compost them! The primary reason for clogging is that coffee grounds often will clump together when combined with water instead of breaking down as would occur with other types of sink debris.

Avoid Depositing Grease

Grease is an absolute no-no when it comes to proper kitchen sink care. As was the case with excess food waste and coffee grounds, grease deposits can lead to clogging. However, this process is distinctly different and perhaps even more detrimental to kitchen sinks.

The primary reason to avoid depositing grease is that while it takes a liquid form when hot, grease solidifies when it cools. As such, it will not only attach to the pipes, but its stickiness will lead to buildups of other debris that comes down the drains. It is doubly problematic, so homeowners and their families should never pour grease down the drain.

garbage disposal

Install a New Garbage Disposal

Ultimately, one of the best solutions to ensure proper kitchen care is to install a new garbage disposal. These offer a vast array of benefits. Some of the most important ones include the following:

  • Breaking down food waste to prevent clogging
  • Eliminating foul odors
  • Reducing cleanup times and trash volumes

Garbage disposals are typically installed directly in the sink, so homeowners can place food scraps in the disposal, which then processes and breaks them down into much smaller pieces. Long-term, this prevents drain buildups, which therefore mitigates the risk of clogs and backups.

Homeowners should hire professionals to install their new garbage disposals. Installation should be relatively quick and efficient, and this can provide significant time and cost savings for homeowners and their families in the future!

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air of Fairhope, AL was founded in 1996 with the belief that service companies needed to improve customer service. Their team of expert plumbing technicians takes this belief to heart, as they provide transparent pricing, clean and professional work, and top-notch customer service for every one of their clients. Call them for plumbing help today!

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Get Your Kitchen Ready for Holiday Hosting

How Will the Kitchen Plumbing Perform This Holiday Season?

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and nothing could be more true during the holidays. The weather outside may be frightful, but inside it’s warm and cozy. The air fills with the laughter of friends and family and the aroma of a home-cooked meal. The central hub of any such gathering is the kitchen, where food and drink are shared with love.

For homeowners anticipating hosting gatherings this holiday season, they should make sure the kitchen plumbing is up to snuff. A simple faucet replacement or sink upgrade can add sparkle to the room. And if they remember to prep the garbage disposal before the big feast, they’ll have one more thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

5 Signs the Faucet Needs Replacing

replacing

Replacing the faucet can instantly add a whole new level of chicness and modernity to the kitchen. Faucets are available in a variety of sizes, styles, and finishes. Some even collaborate with smart home features using voice-activated technology. 

But how do homeowners know if it’s time to replace the kitchen faucet? Here are five telltale signs:

  • It’s loose: A kitchen faucet should never wobble or come loose from its mount. When a faucet seems to be on the brink of collapse, it should be replaced.
  • It leaks: Kitchen faucets usually leak from the tap or the base of the handle. These leaks can often be repaired, but it may be time to replace the whole faucet after frequent repairs.
  • It’s corroded: Kitchen faucets are susceptible to mineral deposits from hard water and rust. Not only is this unsightly and difficult to clean, but it can also contribute to foul-tasting water or leave stains. 
  • It doesn’t have the functions they need: If homeowners struggle to wash unwieldy pans or fill large pots with water, they might consider upgrading to a kitchen faucet with a higher tap. Other features to look for are built-in sprayers and voice-activated or one-touch technology.
  • It’s old: Old faucets are more likely to need repair, and they are often out of style, too.

Make a Splash With a Kitchen Sink Upgrade

sink

Families can be critical of our homes, so if a homeowner wants to make an impression this holiday season, they should upgrade to a fancy new sink. These days, kitchen sinks are available in several materials and finishes, including traditional brushed stainless steel, black composite granite, off-white fireclay, and everything in between. Homeowners can opt for a single or double basin, as deep or as shallow as they need. Whatever they choose, the new kitchen sink will be the star of the show.

Prep the Disposal for Thanksgiving Scraps

Thanksgiving leftovers are great; inedible scraps, not so much. What is there to do with those turkey bones and gizzards, potato peels, and cold, lumpy gravy? The garbage disposal may be the answer.

If the garbage disposal is not working properly, homeowners should schedule an appointment with a professional plumber to check the electrical connections and make sure it’s not clogged. They can also make sure the blades are sharp and have enough horsepower to meet demand. After getting the a-okay from a professional, homeowners can keep their garbage disposal in top form by always running it with cold water, using vinegar and baking soda to keep it clean and fresh, and not disposing of foods that can harm the unit.

Get Help From Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air will be happy to help make sure the kitchen plumbing is ready for the holidays! They have been serving Baldwin and Mobile counties since 1996, and their technicians are experienced with all manners of kitchen plumbing. Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air prides itself on quality workmanship and unbeatable customer service. Call them now for drain cleaning services!

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