Kitchen sink repair isn’t on the top of anyone’s list of fun things to do in Huntington Beach or Anaheim, California. But when your kitchen sink isn’t working optimally, it usually isn’t something that can get put off for too long.

This is especially true if your sink gets clogged or is leaking water. Water leaks add up and fixing them can save you money on your utility bill.

So when you have an issue with your kitchen sink, it’s best to know what to do so you can get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Or at least know when to just skip straight to calling in a professional.

Here are some of the more common kitchen sink repair jobs and how they work.

Clogged Drain

A clogged kitchen drain can quickly make your kitchen sink unusable. It is possible you may be able to clear the drain yourself. This is how to attempt to unclog a sink.

First, use a cup or bowl to remove backed-up water out of the sink and drain hole. Then pour a cup of baking powder into the drain. Add in a cup of white vinegar, then allow the baking powder and vinegar to sit in the drain for at least 15-20 minutes.

Once the time has elapsed, turn on your hot water faucet and let the water run into the drain for several minutes. If this doesn’t clear the clog, you can try using a plunger to force the clog down the drain.

Clogs can be stubborn and most often require a drain cleaning professional’s help to clear the blockage. They know all the right places to check for the problem and have the tools to get deep down into your drain to get the job done.

Leaks

How to fix a kitchen sink leak depends on which part of your kitchen sink has failed. The water may appear on the top of the sink or under your sink.

If the water is pooling at the base of your faucet, the leak is coming from the faucet or handles. You can try replacing the washers and gaskets. If you don’t know how to figure out the size you need, you can take the old ones to the hardware store to help locate the correct ones.

If the water is leaking from below the sink, likely located inside a cabinet, the leak can be coming from a few different areas. The leak may be caused by a failed washer, loose connection, or corrosion which can make it tricky.

Leaks can happen at the connections to the supply lines (hot and cold), drain, trap, stem, basket strainer, and valve seat. Leaks under the sink can be hard to trace and fixing them can involve taking parts apart. Your plumbing professional is the best person for these jobs in order to make sure the job gets done correctly.

P-Trap

The p-trap is the pipe under your sink that is shaped like a U. The bend in the pipe is what helps keep the smell from your drain and sewer from rising back up through the pipe into your home. Removing the p-trap to inspect can be messy and requires some special tools.

P-traps can either get blocked or corrode. If the trap is leaking due to blockage, your plumber can try clearing it. But if is it corroded, your plumber will need to replace the entire trap.

Low Water Pressure/Volume

While it is normal that water pressure or volume can lower when you’re running a bunch of different water sources at a time. But if you’re noticing low water pressure or volume while using just your sink, it is time to look into why.

Check the valve under your sink and at the supply pipe to confirm they are both completely turned on. If the pressure is still low, it is time to check the aerator in the spray head. Use an aerator key to clean out any minerals or other deposits that may have built up.

If the water pressure doesn’t improve, it’s time to call your plumbing professional. They can run various tests to help track down what is causing the water pressure or water volume to drop. By pinpointing the exact location of the problem, you won’t end up replacing parts or pipes that don’t solve the issue.

Garbage Disposal

If the problem with your garbage disposal is that it is humming but not working, it means even though your disposal is getting power, the blades inside are not working.

Remember to turn the power off to your garbage disposal before checking it further.

Using a flashlight to see inside, look into the cavity of the garbage disposal. If you see anything inside, use a tool (not your hand) to remove it from the disposal.

After letting all water drain from the sink, you can try to manually crank the garbage disposal to dislodge debris. You can do this by using the wrench that came with your garbage disposal. It is important to only use the proper wrench since they get made to bend if too much pressure gets put on them.

If your garbage disposal continually clogs, drains slowly, fails to turn on, or leaks, get your plumber out to look at it. They can diagnose the problem and either fix or replace the disposal, depending on what is causing it.

Call a Professional for Kitchen Sink Repair Today

If you have tried to repair your kitchen sink and your repairs are not fixing your problem, it is time to call in a professional. Prompt resolution of kitchen sink repairs will save you money. It will also keep water from damaging the area around and under your sink.

If you are anywhere around the Orange County area, contact us to set up an appointment to get your kitchen repair fixed quickly and competently.