Issues with your in-home plumbing can be a pain to deal with. We rely on functional and efficient plumbing to warm our houses, provide hot water for cleaning and bathing, and to dispose of waste. The nature of plumbing systems usually means that everything is interconnected and a fault in one area, such as your sink, risk disabling your entire plumbing system when the water needs to be turned off. That’s why it’s important to keep all aspects of your home plumbing system in top condition and consider when it’s time to upgrade even what would seem like the most inconsequential parts of the system. Read on to find out the tell-tale signs that it may be time to consider upgrading your kitchen sink to save yourself from trouble and headache down the line.
Noise from Pipes and Slow Drainage
If your sink is noisy and slow to drain the water there is likely a blockage somewhere in the wastewater pipes. The nature of kitchen sinks being used to clean dirty dishes with excess food on them means they are particularly prone to get blocked and clogged. Draining cleaning chemicals can sometimes help solve the problem temporarily, but a full clean or upgrade performed by a professional plumber is usually the only permanent solution.
Visible Signs of Decay
The most obvious signal that it may be time to upgrade your kitchen sink is when there are visible signs of wear, tear, and decay. Wear and tear aren’t only unpleasant to look at, but it can also be an indication that the important connections and functions of your sink are reaching their end-of-life and are due to be replaced. Rust is the obvious thing to look out for, but there can be other more subtle signs of decay such as small cracks appearing in the plastic connectors under the sink that are just as important to look out for.
Persistent Dripping Taps
A constant and persistent drip can be any annoying background noise in your home and is also a sign that something isn’t right with your taps. A dripping tap is usually caused by a faulty washer and is a cheaper and easy fix for a plumber, but it may also be worth taking the opportunity to consider upgrading and replacing your taps too if they are showing other signs of wear.
Reduced Water Flow
If you notice that your kitchen sink is suddenly producing less water pressure than it once did, it is likely an indicator that something is wrong. Common causes of a drop in water flow or pressure are damage to the washers in the taps or a blockage in the aerator covers. This can be an easy fix for a local plumber, but if the problem is left too long it may end up costing more if the entire tap needs to be replaced.
Staining on Walls or Floor
Not all signs that your sink may be due for an upgrade will be obvious on the sink itself. If you have noticed new staining on the walls or floor around the kitchen or the ceiling of rooms below, it is likely a sign that there is a hidden leak that if not addressed by a plumber quickly could turn into a serious issue.
Hiring a Professional Plumber
It is always best to address plumbing problems as soon as they have been discovered. Preventive maintenance by a local plumber will save you lots of money and trouble in the long-run, preventing emergency problems with your plumbing. 24-hour emergency plumbers can be expensive if they have to respond to an issue outside of normal business hours, so minimising the risk as much as possible is the goal.
It can be tempting to think you can save some money by performing your sink and other plumbing maintenance by yourself, and for some small jobs that might be ok. But seeking professional help is always the best way to go to protect your home from the disasters of a plumbing failure. Professional plumbing services have the skills and experience required to service and maintain your plumbing, heating, and hot water systems, and also to inspect the system for signs of wear or damage that may be otherwise unnoticeable, but if left unchecked can lead to disastrous consequences.
Hiring a professional local plumbing service is simply the best way to reduce the risks of plumbing issues and protect your home.
