How to test your kitchen sink

In an earlier article we discussed the significance of buying a home and the importance of being able to keep up with the wear and tear that inevitably creeps into any structure. Having a home inspection done by trusted professionals before you make a purchase is one of the best deterrents against costly repairs cropping up five or ten years down the line. Nevertheless, just like people, houses age too. Knowing what to look for and what to do about signs of deterioration is the next best step to hiring a professional inspector when trying to get ahead of potentially costly damage. 

Here are some tips about the kitchen sink to consider:

Kitchen Sink: When looking to ascertain the present quality of your kitchen sink, fill up both sides with water. Next, you'll want to pull the stoppers out of the sinks and immediately activate the garbage disposal, if you have one, of course. The disposal will force the water through the drain and will often reveal any hidden structural problems, including leaks or stoppage. Occasionally, you may even notice water shooting out of the side of the garbage disposal. 

Another sign to look out for is water backing up on the side of the sink that doesn't have a disposal. Usually, this indicates that there is something wrong with the drain. 

Sometimes, with sinks that aren't draining correctly anymore, the galvanized steel drain lines have begun to accumulate large quantities of sediment on the insides, reducing the diameter and eventually limiting the flow. Typically, replacing the pipes is the only option, which can be expensive but will save you time and money down the line. 

If you live in the Virginia or Washington, D.C., area and would like to schedule a quality home inspection, contact industry-leader Alban Inspections today!