Sink Repair Basics Every Berkeley Homeowner Should Know

Clogged sinks and leaking faucets are a real headache! When you have sink problems, the best thing you can have is some basic sink repair knowledge to help you fix minor problems …and the second best thing you can have is the number of a good local plumber that you trust in case the repair needed ends up being more serious.

Arm yourself with these sink repair basics:

Knowing Where Your Water Shut Offs Are

Locate your water shut offs before you need to use them. You should see shut off valves underneath your sink for the hot and cold supply lines. Those are what you will use to shut off the water to just your sink while working on a faucet. Your home will also have a main water shut off valve, which is typically located near your hot water heater. That is what you will use if you have a major plumbing problem or if you can’t get the water shut off at the sink.

Commonly Used Plumbing Tools

Every homeowner should own a plunger and a drain snake to combat clogs. Additionally, you should have basic tools like screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and channel-lock pliers to do minor plumbing repair. Additional items like a bucket and old towels can also be very helpful! Ensure you have these basic items and gather them all nearby before beginning any plumbing work. (You don’t want to be mid-job and then realize that you don’t have something important and then need to leave to go get it.)

Chemical-Free Drain Cleaning Techniques

Research some basic ways to unclog drains without pouring chemical drain cleaner down there. Not only are the chemicals toxic (meaning that they can cause serious injury if they get on your skin or in your eyes) but they can also damage your pipes, resulting in much bigger plumbing problems in the future! Know how you will attack a drain clog and, again, gather everything you need to do so before beginning. Then, be patient while working on the clogged drain, Remember, it may take multiple rounds of something like vinegar and baking soda before the clog is entirely broken up.

Drain Maintenance Do’s and Dont’s

Good maintenance is the best defense against sink problems! Take good care of your faucets and drains so you don’t end up with problems later.

Do:

• Use faucet handles gently to avoid loosening them over time.
• Keep faucet surfaces clean to minimize the effects of mineral and scale build up.
• Flush drains with hot water periodically to combat natural buildup from soap scum and other organic materials. 
• Use drain catchers to keep hair from going down drains.

Don’t:

• Put grease down drains.
• Use chemical drain cleaners.

When your sink is seriously clogged or continues to leak even after you’ve tried to fix it, call a trusted Berkeley plumber to come fix it! Call us today at 1 (800) 674-9130 and we’ll send out our team of experienced plumbers to get your sink fixed right the first time! Find out why more homeowners in the greater Chicago area choose us for their plumbing needs!