Not all sinks are created equal. Some are made to last a lifetime, and some are meant to be thrown out after a few years of use. The latter is often the case with cheap bathroom fixtures but not always so. Even if you have a very basic sink that came with your house when you bought it, there are still ways for you to keep it in great shape for years to come.
The key is knowing what needs attention and how often that attention should occur. You can check out the website of local plumbers in your area for services they provide and any regular maintenance services. For example, something like hard water deposits can happen on any fixture if it doesn’t get cleaned regularly (but you can remove them relatively quickly).
But other issues like slow drainage or leaks might only arise with certain sinks and fixtures over time (which could require more extensive fixes). That said, read on for tips on maintaining everything from standard ceramic models to those fancy granite ones at home.
Cleaning Your Sink
To clean your sink, you’ll want to use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe it down. Then, pour some mild soap on the fabric and scrub the sink with circular motions. This process is excellent for removing stains and dirt built up over time. Once you’ve finished cleaning your sink, use a toothbrush to clean around the drain of your faucet, especially if it’s stainless steel.
Cleaning Your Faucet
First, you should clean your faucet regularly. The easiest way is using a cleaning solution and a cloth or paper towel. You can use an old toothbrush if you have one that’s clean and free of germs. The goal is to remove soap scum, dirt, and other particles that may be stuck on or around your faucet.
Once you’ve got all that cleaned off, give the faucet itself a wipe-down with a damp cloth. It will make it shine and keep it from looking dirty over time. You’ll also want to take care of the aerator (the part between where water comes out of your sink and where it goes into your drain) since this area tends to get buildup on its surface too.
Removing Sediment From Your Garbage Disposal
There are a few ways to remove sediment from the garbage disposal. The first method is to use an ice cube. Drop in an ice cube, and turn on the garbage disposal for about 30 seconds. The ice will help clear out any buildup in your drain pipes and should allow you to run water through it again without any issues. You could also pour vinegar down into the drain, but this can be pretty messy if there’s already a lot of water in there.
If that doesn’t work, try boiling some water on top of your stove and pouring that down into the drain while running cold water simultaneously (this will help prevent clogs). Leave it running until all of the steam clears out of your pipes before using them again, and the hot water should melt away any residue left by your previous meal preparations.
Rejuvenating Your Drain
You’ll want to use a drain cleaner if your sink has a slow drain. You can find these at most hardware stores and home improvement stores. They’re usually pretty simple to apply, put it in, let it sit for several minutes (the instructions will tell you how long), flush it down with water, and watch the drain clear itself out. Some things can help prevent clogs from happening in the first place; using non-clogging soap and chemicals (like vinegar/baking soda combos) will help keep your drains clean and smell good.
If you’re facing more severe problems with your drainpipe than just a slow one, though, there are other options available to you that may be useful depending on what kind of pipe they’re coming out through. If there isn’t much space around the pipe itself, then maybe a snake is better than an auger, but if there’s room, then an auger might work better because then you don’t need any extra tools like pliers or screwdrivers or whatever else might come along when trying something else.
Adding A Water-Softener To Your Sink
One way to maintain the longevity of your sink is by adding a water softener. If you are in an area with hard water, this can help prevent hard water stains on your faucet and other surfaces in the kitchen.
A good investment for your sink up front will save you money later on by extending the life of your fixtures and keeping them looking newer for longer. Water softeners can be installed under or inside your sink depending on what works best for you and where there’s room.
A plumber should be able to install one without much difficulty since they’re not too complicated or expensive. A few hundred dollars would be enough to cover everything needed for installation if done professionally. Look for experienced plumber services in your area. For example, if you are in Adelaide, a quick Google search for “best plumbing services in Adelaide” should bring up several options that you can choose from.
Bottomline
The importance of maintaining your sink can’t be overstated. It’s an essential part of your home and a significant investment, so keeping it in good condition is necessary. For example, if you don’t keep up with the maintenance on your sink, it can lead to costly plumbing services being essential down the road. The last thing you want is for this to happen when you’re away from home and unable to get someone out there quickly enough.
We hope this article has given you some ideas for maintaining your sink best and keeping it looking great for as long as possible. Remember that the key is to keep your sink clean and dry, so don’t let anything sit in it for too long. If something gets stuck there, use a mild soap or baking soda and vinegar mixture, followed by rinsing with water from a hose outside if needed.