How to Deal with Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems

Kitchen plumbing issues can range from minor leaks to major pipe ruptures, but they all need to be addressed promptly to prevent further damage. Dealing with kitchen plumbing problems yourself can save money on plumbers’ fees, but you need to know how to identify issues and make repairs safely. This comprehensive guide will walk you through diagnosing and fixing the most common kitchen plumbing problems.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most frequent plumbing headaches in kitchens. Food particles, grease, soap scum, and hair can slowly build up inside drain pipes, eventually blocking water flow. Here’s how to deal with a clogged kitchen drain:

Signs of a Clog

Water drains slowly or not at all
Gurgling sounds as water goes down the drain
Bad odors coming from the drain
Pooling water around the drain

Before Using a Chemical Drain Cleaner

Try plunging the drain first with a sink plunger or zip-it drain cleaning tool
Boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain to melt grease clogs
Use a wire coat hanger to fish out hair and debris

How to Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner

Wear gloves and eye protection for safety
Read product directions carefully before using
Remove any drain stopper or cover
Pour the drain cleaner directly into the drain
Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before running hot water
Never mix chemical drain cleaners together

Preventing Future Clogs

Install drain screens to catch food scraps and hair
Avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain
Use a homemade baking soda/vinegar treatment monthly
Have pipes professionally cleaned periodically

Clogged drains are frustrating, but arming yourself with the right tools and techniques can help you clear them quickly and prevent recurrences. Calling a plumber should be a last resort for serious drain obstructions that DIY methods can’t resolve.

Leaky Faucets

Dripping water wastes gallons over time and can damage sink surroundings if left unfixed. Learning to repair leaky kitchen faucets will save on plumbing bills. Here are solutions for common leaky faucet problems:

Identifying the Leak

Listen for drips and look under sinks for water damage
Determine if the leak is coming from the faucet spout or handle
Turn on the hot and cold water to locate the source

Quick Fixes

Tighten the faucet handle with an adjustable wrench
Replace worn washers or O-rings in faucet valves
Clean around faucet spouts and clear out mineral deposits

Replacing Faucet Cartridges

Turn off hot and cold water lines under the sink
Unscrew faucet handle and trim to access the cartridge
Use pliers to remove the retaining nut and pull out cartridge
Install new replacement cartridge and reassemble faucet

Calling a Plumber for Faucet Replacement

For severe leaks or very old/damaged faucets
When the make/model can’t be identified for cartridge replacement
If valves are calcified and non-removable
For kitchen faucet installations

Don’t tolerate a leaky kitchen faucet! Even small drips add up over time. DIY faucet repair is straightforward and will dramatically cut household water waste.

Clogged Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are convenient kitchen appliances, but improper use can lead to jams and clogs. Here’s how to fix a clogged disposal:

Causes of Clogged Disposals

Putting the wrong items down the disposal like eggshells, pasta, rice, etc. Can cling to blades.
Overloading the disposal with too much food waste at once
Allowing fats, oils, and greasy foods to build up over time

Before Calling a Plumber

Press the disposal reset button (often on the bottom) and try running it
Use an hex wrench or Allen wrench to help free seized blades
Safely remove the splash guard and visually inspect for clogs
Try the baking soda/vinegar trick to break up grease

Unclogging Manually

Disconnect power to disposal before attempting manual cleaning
Insert a wrench in the bottom blades hole and rotate counterclockwise
Use tongs or pliers to pull out debris once loose
Avoid using fingers due to sharp blades and risk of injury

Preventing Future Clogs

Run plenty of cold water while running the disposal
Cut or grind food scraps before disposal to small pieces
Only put appropriate organic waste down disposal
Clean greasy residues regularly with baking soda

Clogged disposals are headache-inducing but avoidable with proper maintenance. Don’t shy away from a little manual cleaning when needed to get your disposal back up and running.

Leaking Pipes Under the Kitchen Sink

Water on the floor under kitchen sinks usually indicates leaking pipes. Catching and repairing minor leaks promptly prevents major damage. Here’s how to find and fix leaky pipes:

Checking Under the Sink

Pull out all items from under sink to inspect pipes
Locate where water is dripping onto floor
Move aside any insulation or debris covering pipes
Check pipe connections for corrosion or loose fittings

Tightening Loose Joints

Try tightening any clearly loose joints first with adjustable pliers or wrenches
Apply additional Teflon plumber’s tape to the threads before re-tightening
Replace old worn washers on connections if necessary

Patching Small Pipe Leaks

Clean and dry the pipe thoroughly around the leak
Apply waterproof epoxy putty and firmly press it into leak
Consider wrapping the area with pipe repair tape as well
Let harden completely before turning water back on

Replacing Corroded Pipe Sections

Shut off water and cut out the corroded section
Measure and take the piece to a home improvement store to match
Install new galvanized iron or copper pipes with couplings
Solder copper pieces if comfortable doing so for better hold

Don’t ignore leaky pipes! Even small drips can lead to mold, sink detachment from walls, and warped cabinets over time. Make regular under-sink inspections and promptly fix any issues.

Low Water Pressure at Faucets

Frustratingly weak water flow from kitchen faucets usually comes down to a few common causes. Here’s how to get your water pressure back up:

Check Water Supply Valves

Locate supply valves under sink or near water meter
Ensure valves are fully open (turned counterclockwise)
Replace old rusted valves if necessary

Clear Faucet Aerators

Unscrew the aerator tip on at the end of faucet spouts
Rinse out any sediment or mineral buildup
Soak in vinegar if needed to dissolve

Thoroughly Flush Pipes

Turn faucets to high and run hot water for a few minutes
Then switch to cold water on full for a few minutes
Help to purge any trapped air or debris

Replace Worn Faucet Washers/Seals

Disassemble handles and trim to access washers
Examine washers/seals for cracks or wear and replace
Put faucet back together with new gasket seals

Check for Kinks in Water Supply Lines

Follow water supply lines from shutoff valves to faucet
Straighten any kinked or sharply bent lines

Low water pressure is easily fixed in most cases with basic faucet maintenance. Restore normal water flow before assuming the problem is with main home supply lines.

No Hot Water at Faucets

Lack of hot water for washing dishes or cooking is hugely disruptive to kitchen tasks. Here are tips for getting your hot water flowing again:

Check Energy Source

For gas water heaters, confirm pilot light is on
Reset circuit breaker if heater relies on electric power
Contact utility company if heater uses natural gas

Examine Supply Lines

Check that hot water valve under sink is fully open
Ensure kink-free supply lines from heater to faucet
Flush hot water pipes to clear trapped air

Inspect Hot Water Heater

Set heater to “vacation” mode accidentally?
Note error codes on electric water heater display
Test heating elements with multimeter if electric

Replace Faucet Cartridge

Remove faucet handle and trim to access cartridge
Replace old cartridge if necessary
Ensure cartridge is aligned properly in faucet body

Drain and Flush Water Heater

Turn off power to heater and shut off cold water intake
Attach garden hose to drain valve and route to outside
Open drain valve and allow to fully empty into buckets
Close drain, turn water back on, and refill tank

Restore hot water quickly by methodically checking each component from energy source to faucet. Don’t overlook simple solutions like tripped breakers or accidental heater settings.

Garbage Disposal Has No Power

A non-functional garbage disposal can quickly lead to sink backups. Here’s how to get your disposal spinning again:

Check for Tripped Circuit Breaker

Garbage disposals usually tie into kitchen circuits
Locate the correct breaker and flip it fully off and on

Press Reset Button

Look for a red button on bottom of disposal unit
Press firmly until an audible click is heard

Manually Turn the Blades

Insert hex wrench in center hole at disposal base
Turn wrench back and forth to manually spin blades
Helps clear jammed mechanisms

Test for Power with Voltage Tester

Turn off power at breaker before using tester
Touch probes to disposal wiring terminals
If no power reading, wiring issue exists

Inspect Wiring Connections

Unplug disposal under sink or disconnect wiring
Check wiring for cuts, nicks, or loose connectors
Replace damaged wiring or re-secure connections

Replace Defective Disposal

If motor hums but won’t run, motor may be burned out
Purchase same model/size replacement disposal
Watch online videos for step-by-step installation help

Don’t let a dead disposal derail your kitchen cleanup. Methodically troubleshoot disposal issues to get this essential appliance running again.

Water Heater Leaking

Leaking water heaters can damage surrounding areas and prevent hot water production. Address minor leaks promptly before they escalate into major repairs.

Causes of Water Heater Leaks

Corrosion and cracks in the tank allowing water seepage
Issues with water supply lines and fittings
Drips from temperature and pressure relief valve
Leaking at tank drain valve

Checking for Leaks

Look for water dripping from the base of heater
Note rust trails or mineral deposits on tank exterior
Check supply lines, fittings, and valves for drips

Draining the Tank

Turn off power to electric water heater
Turn water supply valve off and connect hose to drain spout
Open drain valve and allow to fully empty into buckets
Leave drain valve open if replacing tank

Replacing Supply Lines

Replace any visibly corroded or cracked supply lines
Use braided stainless steel rather than rubber lines
Confirm fittings are snug with pipe wrenches

Replacing Relief Valve

Drain tank and turn off water supply before starting
Unscrew old relief valve and remove overflow pipe
Wrap threads with Teflon tape and install new valve
Attach overflow pipe to direct drips away

Replacing Whole Unit

For serious leaks or extensive corrosion damage
Hire a professional for installation due to gas lines, vents, etc.

Never delay fixing a leak – catastrophic tank failure and flooding can occur if left unchecked! Prioritize water heater repairs.

Main Water Supply Shutoff Issues

Knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve and ensuring it functions properly is critical in a plumbing emergency. Here are solutions for common main shutoff issues:

Locating House Main Shutoff

Typically near front of house or inside garage
Look near water meter for shutoff handle/valve
May be in yard/driveway for well systems

Identifying Shutoff Valve Type

Gate valve: Raised handle that lifts up to turn water on/off
Ball valve: Swivels a quarter-turn to align or close opening
Globe valve: Round handwheel to screw valve open or closed

Testing Valve Function

Turn handle to closed position – should become very stiff
Valve works if water flow stops everywhere in house
Replace if valve does not fully stop water

Replacing Broken Shutoff Valves

Turn water off at street if possible, otherwise have buckets ready
Turn valve off and unscrew bonnet holding stem inside
Clean interior of valve body before installing new stem kit
Wrap threads with Teflon tape before re-assembling

Adding New Shutoff Valves

Useful for isolating sections of house plumbing
Have proper tools ready – wrenches, torch, emery cloth, wire brush
Follow steps to drain, cut into pipe, and install valve fitting

Knowing how and when to shut off main water in an emergency will prevent damage. Maintain this critical valve just like other plumbing fixtures.

Slow or Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain

Slow-draining sinks extend chore time and can make kitchen tasks like washing dishes frustrating. Here are solutions for restoring full sink drainage:

Using a Plunger

Cover drain fully with plunger suction cup
Fill sink halfway with water to cover cup
Plunge forcefully 10-15 times to loosen clog

Snaking the Drain

Insert flexible drain snake into drain opening
Crank handle to extend snake down drain lines
Turning end tip grabs and pulls up debris

Taking Apart Pipes Under Sink

Place bucket under trap to catch water
Loosen slip-nut connections with pliers or wrench
Inspect pipes for obstructions like food or grease
Scrub interior of pipes with pipe brush

Using a Chemical Drain Cleaner

Wear gloves and eye protection
Pour liquid cleaner like Drano into drain
Let sit 15-30 minutes before running hot water

Installing a Garbage Disposal

Great for preventing future sink clogs
Grinds up food particles before entering pipes
Follow directions for electrical and plumbing connections

Persisting sink clogs may require disassembling pipes to fully clear blockages. Or consider adding a garbage disposal to manage food waste.

How to Deal with Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems – FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dealing with kitchen plumbing problems:

What if my kitchen faucet is dripping very slowly – is it worth fixing?

Even small, slow faucet drips can waste hundreds of gallons over months. Take the time to fix minor leaks – replacing worn washers and O-rings is inexpensive compared to a much higher water bill down the road.

Do I really need to call a plumber for major kitchen pipe repairs?

For extensive kitchen pipe replacement or rerouting, hiring a professional plumber is best. They have the expertise to handle large-scale projects involving gas lines, vents, drainage systems, and the knowledge of building codes.

My garbage disposal hums when turned on but won’t actually grind – what should I check?

If a garbage disposal hums but the blades don’t turn, it usually indicates a jammed flywheel or a burned out motor. First try clearing any debris blocking the flywheel. If that doesn’t work, you’ll likely need to replace the entire disposal unit.

What’s the quickest way to fix a leaky pipe under my kitchen sink?

To temporarily stop a small leak at a pipe connection, loosen the fitting, wrap thread tape around it, and retighten. For cracked pipe sections, wrap the area thoroughly with epoxy putty. These are quick fixes until you can replace pipe sections properly.

Why does my kitchen faucet sprayer hose keep leaking – is there an easy fix?

Kitchen sprayer hose leaks usually mean worn washers inside the hose couplings. Try unscrewing the hose fittings under the sink, removing washers, and replacing them with new O-ring washers matched to your hose size.

Conclusion

Dealing with kitchen plumbing issues promptly prevents minor problems from becoming major headaches. Knowing how to identify and diagnose problems like clogged drains, leaky pipes, low water pressure, and garbage disposal jams allows you to solve them quickly and avoid costly plumber service calls. Pay attention to any drips, gurgles, or slowing drains and take action before they worsen. Arm yourself with a variety of DIY tools and tips, but also recognize when professional help is needed. Invest a little time upfront in kitchen plumbing maintenance and you’ll have a far more peaceful, functional cook space.