Your kitchen sink is an important part of your kitchen organization. From the sink you cook your family meals and clean a wide assortment of items from dishes to toys to your hands. For this reason it is important that your kitchen sink strainer does its job.  There are multiple reasons why a homeowner would want to replace their kitchen strainer, but the most common is that it leaks.  If your strainer is leaking, your sink will not be able to hold water in the basin for long periods of time, limiting your usage. Below are the three steps it takes to replace a kitchen strainer from your Chandler plumber.

Step 1

The installation of a kitchen strainer in your sink is a simple plumbing task. You will begin by removing the previous unit and cleaning the drain hole. This is important because if particles are left where the strainer attaches, it may damage the seal on the strainer and lead to future leaks. Apply plumbers putty to the underside of the outer lip of the strainer. You can either purchase a new strainer or use your previous one and repair the seal.

Step 2

After applying the putty, place the strainer into the sink hole.  This Chandler plumber suggests using pressure in order for excess putty to form a tight hold and the seal to be secure.  Be sure to center the strainer in the middle of the hole as you are inserting it. You will then add the rubber gasket, fiber ring and metal nut.

Step 3

Finally, attach the trap and drain assembly.  Don’t forget to run a water test to check for leaks.  This quick and easy fix will enable your sink to hold water again.

A leaking kitchen strainer can increase your home’s water cost.  By securing the seal and installing a new strainer you will be able to conserve water during common kitchen tasks. For more helpful home plumbing tips from a Chandler plumber contact EcoWaterAZ today!

A garbage disposal is designed to grind up food and then discard it.  Which is why many people are surprised when the appliance starts to smell as if food or mold is in the sink. Many times, food particles can remain in the disposal and pipe.  This creates an environment where mold and bacteria can grow. From the mold and bacteria come the unpleasant odors. It is recommended that you clean your garbage disposal about once a week for it to remain mold and odor free. Below are three tips from a Chandler plumber to clean your disposal at home.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

The first method to clean and clear a garbage disposal is to use baking soda and vinegar. Pour one half cup of baking soda down the drain.  Directly after, pour one cup of white vinegar into the drain and place the drain stopper in the sink to close off the drain.  Many kitchens have double sinks, this Chandler plumber recommends treating both sides of the sink simultaneously. You will hear the mixture fizzing, this means it’s working. Boil a few cups of water while you wait for the vinegar and baking soda to work.  Once it is at a rolling boil, pour the water down the drain as well.

Water and Bleach

Another successful method includes water and bleach.  Use a clean container to mix one gallon of water with one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach.  After it is fully mixed, carefully pour the solution down the drain and allow it to sit for several minutes.  Once the mixture has fully drained and cleaned the disposal, run warm water down the drain.

Ice and Citrus Peels

To maintain a clean smelling disposal you can use ice and citrus peels, like lemon, lime or oranges. Grind the ice cubes in the disposal first. This will clean the blades. Then add the citrus grinds.  The scent of the grinds will fill your kitchen with the smell of citrus fruit.

These methods will not only clean your disposal but also help keep it smelling fresh. For more information on plumbing and tips from a Chandler plumber, contact EcoWaterAZ today!

Besides being a noise nuisance, a running toilet can quickly add to your water bill.   The fix is easy, quick and will be something you will most likely need to do on a regular basis.  Learning how to fix it will eliminate unnecessary water charges and knowing how a toilet works will enable you to make small fixes on your own, while leaving the more challenging fixes to your Chandler plumber.

How It Works

When you push down on the flush handle of a toilet, a rod connected to the handle lifts a ball or a flapper in the tank.  This action will open the drain at the bottom of the tank and empty the tank and bowl.  As the suction of the water empting from the tank down to the bowl clears the bowl, it also forces the flapper or ball back into place.

While this is happening there is also a float that rises and falls with the level of water within the tank. When the float reaches a low point, it opens the water supply inlet valve, which lets more water into the tank.  The tank and bowl are refilled by the water entering through the inlet valve.  Once the float reaches a high point again, the water inlet valve is closed.  It is through a multitude of issues that can cause a toilet to continue to use water.

How to Fix It

In many cases, the water level is not correct and in effort to correct it, the toilet continues to run water through the tank and into the bowl.  Often, it can be fixed with bending the float rod down.  This will cause there to be less water in the tank.

Another common problem is that the flapper or ball did not get replaced securely.  Any gap will cause a leakage, making the toilet use water constantly.  This is fixed by moving the flapper or the ball back into the correct place.  In older units, the flapper or ball may also be deteriorated.  Meaning you will need to replace it, if you are unsure how to replace it call your Chandler plumber for assistance.

Finally, the chain connecting the rod to the flapper or ball may be too tight and not allowing the hole to be completely covered.  You are able to fix this by removing the S hook from its current chain link and allowing the chain to be looser.  Be careful not to allow for too much slack, or else the toilet won’t flush.

Follow the above tips to save yourself from high water bills and a running toilet.  If you have tried these strategies and your toilet is still constantly using water, you should call your Chandler plumber for assistance.  Contact EcoWater AZ, your Chandler plumber, today!