Why the Kitchen Is the Real Plumbing MVP
When it comes to everyday plumbing problems, your kitchen is the front line. From dishwashing to dinner prep, it’s the most-used water zone in the house—and it’s also where small problems can snowball into big disasters. We’ve seen everything from garbage disposal meltdowns to leaks that quietly ruin cabinets, floors, and even subflooring.
At The Greatful Plumber, we believe your plumbing should just work—quietly, cleanly, and without surprises. But in Jacksonville, where the mix of old homes, new builds, and hard water collide, kitchen issues pop up more often than most homeowners realize.
“We’re in kitchens across the 904 every week—sometimes because of simple clogs, sometimes because of years of damage no one noticed until it was too late.”
Let’s walk through the most common issues, what you can safely try on your own, and when it’s time to call a pro.
1. Garbage Disposal Failures
Garbage disposals are tough, but they’re not invincible. They’re not designed to be wood chippers. Yet week after week, we get called to unclog or replace disposals that were overwhelmed by items that should’ve gone in the trash—not the sink.
Common offenders:
- Eggshells
- Pasta and rice
- Grease or oil
- Coffee grounds
- Bones
- Fibrous veggies (like celery, corn husks)
“People put all sorts of things in their disposal expecting it to get chopped up and sent down the drain—but that’s a dangerous proposition. They often get overloaded and clogged or backed up.”
DIY Tip: If your disposal hums but doesn’t spin, hit the reset button underneath. Still nothing? Unplug it and check with a hex key. But don’t force anything. And never, ever stick your hand down there.
When to call us: If water is backing up into the sink, the motor smells burnt, or it’s leaking underneath.
2. Mysterious Sink Clogs
If your kitchen sink is slow to drain, it’s probably not a mystery—it’s a buildup. Grease, soap, food bits, and coffee grounds create thick gunk in your pipes over time. And in homes with older cast iron or galvanized drains (still common in some Jacksonville neighborhoods), clogs form even faster.
DIY Tip: Before you reach for chemical drain openers, try this instead:
- Boil a kettle of water.
- Add a squirt of Dawn dish soap down the drain.
- Pour the boiling water slowly into the sink.
“If Dawn can clean oil off a baby duck, it can help with grease clogs too.”
What to avoid: Drano or other caustic chemicals. These products can damage your pipes and pose serious health risks. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve shown up to a job and had to work through toxic fumes to fix the issue.
“Using chemical drain openers before calling a plumber makes our job more dangerous—and yours.”
When to call us: If multiple attempts to clear the clog fail or if water is backing up into another sink or dishwasher.
3. Under-Sink Leaks
Leaks under the kitchen sink are sneaky. They often start as slow drips from supply lines, shutoff valves, or trap assemblies. But over time, those drips turn into mold, cabinet rot, and costly damage.
What to check:
- Are supply lines wet or corroded?
- Do you see signs of water around the base of the faucet?
- Is the cabinet floor warped or stained?
DIY Tip: Place a paper towel under your sink overnight to spot active leaks. For slow leaks, hand-tighten connections or replace worn washers.
When to call us: If tightening doesn’t help, or if the leak is near your shutoff valves, disposal, or dishwasher line.
4. Dishwasher Backup or Poor Drainage
Jacksonville homeowners often call us because their dishwasher isn’t draining or is pushing water into the sink. Nine times out of ten, this is a plumbing issue, not an appliance problem.
Likely causes:
- A clogged air gap or high loop
- Grease buildup in the sink drain
- Kinked or old drain hose
DIY Tip: Clean out your air gap if you have one (it’s that little dome on your sink deck). Run hot water and check your drain hose for bends.
When to call us: If the sink bubbles when the dishwasher runs or if standing water lingers at the bottom after a cycle.
5. Faucet Drips and Low Water Pressure
That little drip adds up—literally. A leaking faucet can waste hundreds of gallons a year. Low water pressure might mean a clogged aerator or something deeper in the supply lines.
DIY Tip:
- Remove and clean the aerator screen
- Check for visible corrosion or buildup
- Make sure shutoff valves are fully open
When to call us: If you notice inconsistent pressure, rusty water, or leaks under the handle.
“In Jacksonville, hard water buildup is a silent killer of faucet performance—especially in older homes.”
6. Water Supply Line Problems
Cheap plastic supply lines under the kitchen sink are a ticking time bomb. We always recommend braided stainless steel lines—they’re durable and safer.
DIY Tip: Look under your sink. If you see plastic or rubber lines, it’s time to upgrade.
When to call us: For any bubbling, cracking, or corrosion near fittings. We can swap them in 30 minutes or less.
7. Shutoff Valve Surprises
Do you know where your shutoff valves are? And do they work?
What to know:
- Every kitchen sink should have two accessible shutoff valves (hot and cold)
- In older Jacksonville homes, these valves are often corroded or frozen
DIY Tip: Test your shutoffs annually. If they don’t turn easily, call us before an emergency makes things worse.
Local Knowledge Matters
Jacksonville’s mix of old bungalows, mid-century ranches, and newer developments means no two kitchens are the same. From Ortega to Arlington, we’ve seen everything from failing cast iron to improper venting.
We’ve walked into homes where the sink was plumbed with the wrong materials or no vent at all. And yes, we’ve found shampoo bottles, toys, and full rolls of paper towels clogging the lines.
“When your kitchen’s not working, the whole house feels it.”
Let us fix it once, the right way, so you don’t have to deal with it again for years!
Want a Kitchen That Just Works?
We don’t just patch problems—we solve them. If your kitchen is acting up, we’ll walk you through what’s going on, fix it cleanly, and explain what to watch out for in the future.
Because the only thing you should be thinking about in the kitchen is what’s for dinner.
Need help now? Call The Greatful Plumber. Let’s make your plumbing the one part of your kitchen you don’t have to worry about.
