Kitchens are often the central room in a home. Many may think it is the living room, but that is not the case as people will maybe spend more time in their own separate space than together, but everyone has to come out and eat at one point. Not only because of that but kitchens are important for a variety of other reasons, mainly as the dedicated clean spot to prepare food.
Having a faulty kitchen is, therefore, big trouble, from vermin infestations to bad electronics and plumbing. We can be very pedantic with our cleaning and keep cockroaches away indefinitely, but faulty or worn-out installations are something that is bound to present themselves at one point. Unexpected leaks are not a major issue if dealt with quickly, but can ruin a perfectly good cabinet in a matter of days. So let’s see what are some important things needed to solve this problem.
Why Do You Have a Leakage?
Leakage can be caused by a lot of things. Sometimes it is a crack in the pipework, where old, unprotected pipes corrode and simply have a hole in them where water can pass through. In other scenarios, ones that are far more common, it is a faulty connection between pipes or at a bend, where water that is going under pressure can find its way out and start dripping slowly on whatever is underneath it. Old plumbing can be a huge problem in some homes as the older technology was made out of corrosive metals, such as iron, and even if they were installed correctly, they need to be changed at one point if you want a dry home. The other thing to look out for is the work of amateur plumbers, where, even if new, the connections can be so faulty that they will start leaking as soon as “the expert” walks out the door. Either way – you have to be prepared to solve such a problem quickly.
Calling in Servicemen
The best option is to call in professional plumbers to have a look at it and fix it on the spot, if possible. The professionals behind All Service Plumbers stress that looking in the local yellow pages is always a good option when searching for repairmen, but it can lead to great disappointment if it turns out they don’t know what they’re doing. Having an expert analyze and solve a problem is beneficial twofold – first, they already have all the possible know-how and tools needed for it, and secondly, they can tell you what to do so you don’t have the same problem again.
Having the Right Tools
Sometimes you will just not be able to call in anyone, or you just might be the type who likes to solve problems themself. To do this you need some basic tools for the job:
- Tongue and groove pliers: the first tool most people grab, because of its long handles and adjustable grip it can give great leverage for unscrewing stuck connections.
- Crescent wrench (aka adjustable wrench): a wrench with the lower jaw that can be moved, it is applicable to a large range of valves and nuts, but doesn’t leave any marks on them.
- Tubing cutter or hacksaw: used for cutting off iron, copper, or plastic tubing, it takes a long time but gives a very clean cut.
- Drain Auger: needed for cleaning clogged drains, very robust but also very effective.
- Plunger: for small clogs, a universal symbol of all plumbers.
Using a Proper Sealant
Maybe even the easiest way of solving any leaking problem in the kitchen is using a sealant. Although a lot of plumbers will frown upon such an idea it is very quick and easy, even if not usable in the long run. Sealants are usually silicon or rubber-like liquids that can, well, seal off any small opening and so stop water or gases from flowing through it. The most popular sealants are silicon-based and very easy to use. They come in plastic tubes and have a spring-loaded mechanism to push the sealant out and a pointed tip to help place the liquid in the desired place
This is, of course, a viable solution in some cases, when a rubber seal is not present, or even when it is present but it needs a liquid sealant to act as a glue. Just make sure that, even if you do fill in a crack with a sealant, you actually replace or properly fix the leaking part later on.
Kitchen leaks are a pain to have, they make the space under the counter messy, can cause mold and irritating dripping noises. But even if you have a top-quality kitchen you should always be prepared to tighten a nut or add a rubber gasket before more problems arise.
