June 2023 - Fox Valley Backflow and Plumbing

Whether it’s an ordinary day or a special event, you’re frequently welcomed with delectable fragrances and joyful recollections when you’re gathered in your kitchen. It’s a place to eat, to converse, and to simply take in life.

Our kitchen sink drains work hard when we use a strainer or garbage disposal diligently. We wake up one morning to an unpleasant odor coming from the sink as a result of inevitable food particles, oil, and other undesirable items finding their way into the drain.

Therefore, why does this begin to occur?

Typically, there are two causes of a smelly kitchen sink:

Food caught in the sink or garbage disposal that has gone bad
A leak of sewer gas coming from the vent or drain trap

That’s the bad news – but here’s the good news: it’s totally fixable! That’s right – you don’t have to live with a stinky kitchen sink forever.

Tricks to Try If You Have a Garbage Disposal

Hot water and dish soap: Start by running the garbage disposal while running a sink’s worth of hot, soapy water through it. This is the initial stage, and it might work. Stop the sink with a stopper and add several inches of hot water. Pour some dish soap in. To allow the water to flush through, turn on the garbage disposal and unplug the sink.
Ice cubes, coarse salt, and lemon peels: The next thing to do is to check that the disposal blades are clean and free of any leftover, gummy food particles if you’re still smelling something unpleasant. The three-punch cleaning miracle of ice cubes, coarse salt, and lemon. Put some ice cubes and kosher salt in the garbage disposal. While the salt scrubs the sides of the grinder, the ice helps push food off of it. Repeat the flushing for good measure, and then grind some lemon peels for freshness.
Vinegar and lemon ice cubes: Lemon wedges can be frozen in white vinegar, then crushed in the garbage disposal.

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Tricks to Try If You Don’t Have a Garbage Disposal

Boiling Water: It is important to not undervalue the simple power of hot water. Don’t let water cool on the stove after you’ve just boiled it for something, like some pasta or a pot of tea. Pour it into the sink instead. This may be sufficient to eliminate weaker drain odours. If not, continue reading this list to increase the effectiveness of the cleaning, but you’ll notice that each advice is followed by a thorough hot water flush.
Baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water: The most popular trick among readers for getting rid of sink drain smells? A bubbling, baking soda-and-vinegar mix, washed down with very hot water. 1 cup baking soda plus 2 cups vinegar. Pour the baking soda, then vinegar on top; it will bubble up. Let it sit a couple of minutes, then run hot water.
Baking soda, salt, vinegar, and boiling water: Some readers fervently contend that adding coarse salt to the tried-and-true combination of baking soda and vinegar adds exactly the right amount of additional abrasion to remove the filth.

1/2 cup coarse salt

1/2 cup of baking soda

1 cup vinegar

Place each of these down the drain in turn. To get the bubbles to just work in the drain, cover the drain for around 30 seconds. The salt is said to add an abrasive element. After that, pour a pot of boiling water through to remove everything and dissolve any salt that is still present. Stop making a stink here!

How to prevent drain odour

It’s simple to stop your sink from smelling. A few healthy practices and regular maintenance are all that are required. Try these things:

To prevent food chunks from entering your pipes, cover your plughole with a drain screen.
Keep fat and grease out of the drain. Instead, before washing your cookware, soak or scrape away any fat with a kitchen towel.
Pour any leftover water from boiling the kettle down the plughole to eliminate bacteria.
Once a week, or if you’re going on vacation and won’t be using your sink for a while, pour baking soda down the drain.
Plan routine service inspections. Your pipes will stay clean if a qualified plumber frequently inspects them.

Remember, if you have persistent or severe drain odour issues, it’s recommended to consult a professional plumber to assess the situation.

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Any home would experience great inconvenience from a broken water heater. The majority of families use hot water daily for showers, hand cleaning, and dishwashing, not to mention the sporadic loads of laundry or other water-related chores. It can be shocking to just receive icy cold water from your pipes because it isn’t something that is frequently used straight from the faucet. You need quick fixes when your hot water heater is malfunctioning or nearing the end of its useful life to avoid being left without hot water for days or even weeks.

An electrical problem with a water heater can occur occasionally, but it can also be brought on by other factors. The most frequent problems that a water heater may encounter are discussed below, along with whether it is necessary to repair or replace your hot water heater at this time.

Problem 1: Water Quickly Turns Cold

You might notice a problem straight quickly, such as a shortage of hot water. When you try to wash dishes, the water never gets hot enough. Or, when you wash your hands in the sink, you get a cold.

Problem 2: Loud Noises from the Heater

If you notice strange or loud noises coming from your tank, this could indicate an issue that requires action sooner rather than later. Knocking, clanging, or rumbling noises may mean that there is sediment accumulating at the bottom of your unit, making it difficult for the hot water heater to efficiently run.

Problem 3: Water is leaking from the Unit

A water tank’s contents are expected to remain there. If water is collecting around the tank or the pipes going to the tank, there is unquestionably a problem that has to be fixed right away. Normally, leaks don’t stop on their own. They can also result in considerable property damage if neglected. You could have to deal with invasive mold in addition to dealing with wet walls, rugs, furniture, and other possessions. A hot water tank leak should be fixed as quickly as possible.

Problem 4: Rust is Forming On and Inside the Unit

Rust is a blatant indicator of corrosion and may be a clue that a leak is about to occur. Rust formation on the inside of the tank is frequently indicated by the presence of rust on the exterior of your appliance near the water inlet. Since there is no permanent solution for rust, you will probably need to replace your unit soon or risk significant water damage from a leak.

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When to Repair Vs Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Most of the time, homeowners want to attempt repairs before completely replacing their hot water heaters. A brand-new hot water heater might cost you a huge amount, not counting installation. Therefore, it often makes sense to pursue repair rather than replacement. However, this might not always be possible depending on the issue. Before choosing to fix or replace your hot water heater, you may want to take into account the following aspects.

Age of the Hot Water Heater

Hot water heaters typically run on gas or electricity for 8 to 12 years before they need to be replaced. If maintained properly, tankless and solar hot water heaters can last up to 20 years.

You might want to consider the age of your hot water heater when determining whether to repair it or replace it. Ones that are towards the end of their regular lifespan might not be worth repairing because issues will probably recur as it is utilized more. It can be more cost-effective to replace it and have the piece of mind that comes with a new unit rather than spending money on pricey repairs.

However, if your unit is under five years old, a repair can be less expensive than a complete replacement. This old of a unit may still be covered by warranty, so depending on the problem, a repair may be free. To maintain the warranty advantages, keep in mind that most manufacturers demand routine maintenance inspections from a qualified expert. Most manufacturers should be satisfied with an annual maintenance check, but to be sure, you may want to double-check the documentation or business policies for your specific model.

The Issue at Hand

Not all problems with your hot water heater will set you back a lot of money. In reality, some can be resolved for relatively little money. For instance, damaged heating elements, pressure relief valves, thermostats, and other minor components are simply replaceable and do not require the tank to be thrown out.

You should probably replace your device if there is rust, damage, or leaks. If you are still unsure of how to handle the problem, a professional should be able to provide you a price on the projected cost of repair versus replacement.

Your Plan to Stay in Your Home

Repair may be preferable than replacement if it can keep the hot water heater in operation for at least a few more years and you are about to move. However, if you intend to stay in your house for a long time, you should compare the expenses of replacement with those of short-term repairs.

It may be less expensive in the long run to replace your water heater if your unit is approaching the 10-year mark and you know you will eventually need to do so. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about an outdated unit leaking heavily and severely damaging your house and possessions.

If a replacement is necessary for your water heater, a professional can assess your home, what it is already wired for, and present you with options to satisfy the needs of your household and budget.

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