Why Install a Pot Filler Faucet in Your Kitchen?

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Kitchen Plumbing Repairs
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One can venture a guess that many of us reading about this have not, yet, heard about pot filler faucets. Pot filler faucets are one of the crazes in kitchens today, whether new or remodeled. An avid cook who loves to entertain at home may consider it a wonderful convenience, whereas one who rarely cooks will think it an excessive, unnecessary, expense.

So, what is a pot filler faucet? It is a faucet mounted on the wall directly above the stove that swings out on a long, jointed, arm. Instead of lugging a heavy pot of water from the sink to the stove, pots can be filled with water right on the stove. When the faucet is not in use, it folds neatly back against the wall above the stove, out of the way but ready when needed. Your local kitchen plumbing professional can easily install your pot filler with one half-inch cold water supply line. Installing the faucet in the correct location can be the most difficult part of the installation. Be sure to consider the height of your cooktop, as well as the height of your tallest pot, when pinpointing where to put the faucet.

There is, however, a down side to consider before purchasing your pot filler. The large heavy pot that was filled with water at the cooktop, still needs to be carried back to the sink in order to empty it. Given its size and location, the faucet could be bumped, turning on the water where there is no drain to catch it. Bringing the additional plumbing line to the location will require a plumbing professional for installation. Accumulating grease from the cooktop could also make cleaning the faucet difficult.

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Why Choose a Double Basin Sink for Your Kitchen?

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Kitchen Plumbing Repairs
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If you don’t have a dishwasher in your kitchen (the mechanical appliance type), then having a double basin sink, with both basins the same size, in your kitchen is just good common sense. This will allow you to comfortably wash dishes on one side of the sink while rinsing them on the other. Even if you have a dishwasher, this may be what you’d prefer if you’d rather wash your larger pots and pans by hand. Today you have the option of a double basin sink with two differently sized basins, one larger for washing pots with a smaller basin for food preparation. In fact, triple basin sink options are available today as well.

Existing cabinetry, counter and under-the-counter space will play a role in what type of sink you decide to purchase. One option, if going with the double basin, is to purchase a cover for the second basin that can also serve as a cutting board. A double basin sink will take up more room underneath your countertop. Of course, deeper sinks will take up even more space. How much under-the-counter space you have in your existing cabinetry is an important factor because a double basin sink will require the kitchen plumbing for two drains. Before purchasing your sinks, consult with your local plumbing professional to make certain you get the best product to meet your individual needs.

Your kitchen space, its appliances and features, should all combine to enable you to prepare and cook food with the least amount of effort. How you cook, how you work and prepare, and how you clean up your kitchen will all be considerations in whether or not two sinks in your kitchen is a must have.

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Things to Know When Purchasing a Garbage Disposal

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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There are basically two types of garbage disposals, with varying features, to choose from. One type is the standard continuous feed disposal that operates with the flip of a switch. It is the cheapest and most convenient, allowing you to continuously feed scraps to the disposal while water runs down the drain. This type also typically comes with a rubber splash guard to cover the drain hole. Another type of disposal is the batch-feed, which costs more but does not require the additional expense of installing a wall switch. The blades on the batch-feed unit are activated when the drain hole is covered; therefore, they are considered safer to operate.

Once you have decided on your preferred type, you need to know what you intend to routinely grind in order to choose adequate horsepower. Higher horsepower (as would be needed for grinding bones) will usually grind faster with less chance of jamming. You should also know what you are considering for longevity when it comes to choosing the quality of the disposal’s parts. For instance, stainless-steel blades will cost more than another disposal of the same horsepower with blades of galvanized steel; however, stainless-steel is superior at resisting corrosion so it will come with an extended warranty. In purchasing your disposal, make sure that you consider the size of your sink area. If space under the sink is limited, your may discover that your only choice is a compact unit.

Don’t be fooled by false advertising for “quieter” units; added insulation has little sound deadening benefit since the grinding noises are escaping through the drain hole, on continuous-feed disposals. Above all, with the installation requirements of plumbing, mechanical and electrical skills, contact your local plumbing professional with any questions or concerns.

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Common Causes of Kitchen Drain Clogs

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Nothing can be more frustrating than a clogged drain, especially if it is in your kitchen. Has your kitchen drain ever clogged at a convenient time? Usually, of course, the clog occurs when you are at your most hurried, either cooking the family meal or cleaning up afterward. Usually the kitchen sink is the one in the house most used so there really is no convenient time for a clogged drain.

The culprit for most kitchen drain clogs can be traced to a combination of food particles, fat, and soap that has accumulated over time. Because of their dense weight, food particles can lay on the bottom of pipes, piling up until the movement of water only picks up the first loose layers. On the other hand, fat goes down the pipe as a liquid, which comes into contact with the coolness of the piping, causing it to condense. Just like plaque in the human body, the fat solidifies and slowly fills the pipe from the sides, which narrows the passage. Soap, then, soaks into the entire wet mass, sticking to the walls of a horizontal pipe. Since soap is caustic or corrosive, it can slowly erode the pipe wall. Add to this messy mass of clog, hair, if you are in the habit of washing your hair in the kitchen sink.

This type of nasty kitchen sink drain clog may require the services of your local plumbing professional. You can try unclogging it yourself first by running very hot water down the drain, to liquefy the fat. One of the many drain cleaning products available at any hardware store just may work. If your efforts are ineffective, your local plumber should be able to snake free that nasty clog with a water jet cable.

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Choosing a New Kitchen Sink for Your Granite Countertop

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Kitchen Sinks
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If you are shopping for a new kitchen sink for a granite countertop, a myriad of designs, shapes and sizes, colors and materials await your choosing. The options are almost limitless but there is more to consider than just artistic compatibility or whether it is aesthetically pleasing. Of course, you are concerned about matching that granite countertop but how about which sinks are scratch or stain resistant? Which sinks will last longer, chip or crack?

Style, price and durability should all be considered in purchasing your new sink. Stainless steel remains the most popular and today comes in a great array of shapes and styles. However, regardless of configuration, it would probably not blend well with the granite countertops. On the other hand, today you can purchase a sink made of granite composite which is the most durable sink on the market. Manufactured with extremely high-density rock particles on the surface, they are superior in scratch, heat to 535 degrees, and chip resistance. They come in many different colors and configurations; one will certainly complement your granite countertops. Granite composite sinks are typically installed as undermounts, which is the most requested by homeowners with granite countertops. Undermounted sinks not only look better but make cleaning easier.

Your local plumbing professional can help in narrowing down your options and guide you through the vast amount of selections, in choosing the kitchen sink that is right for your lifestyle, your home space requirements, and your existing plumbing and cabinetry restrictions.Installing a sink fabricated from high-quality materials means you’ll live with that sink for a long time.

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