This job comes easily to a lot of us.
After boiling pasta or draining potatoes, we take the pot right to the kitchen sink. We don’t even think about it when we drop the hot water down the drain. It looks safe, and maybe even helpful. After all, hot water should help you lose weight, right?
Not really.
This common activity could be damaging your plumbing without you even knowing it, which could lead to expensive repairs that you didn’t see coming. This is one of those choices you make every day that you should think about again, whether you’ve owned a home for a long time or are moving into a nice retirement home.
A negative habit for your home
Everyone wants their kitchens to work well. But a lot of people don’t aware that pouring boiling water down the sink may really hurt your plumbing, especially if your pipes are made of materials that weren’t meant to handle high temperatures.
Most homes today use PVC (plastic) pipes for their plumbing since they are affordable, dependable, and good for everyday water use. But even the best things have their limits.
What Happens When You Put Hot Water in the Sink?
When that hot water reaches your kitchen sink, let’s see what’s actually going on:
1.It shortens the life of your pipes.
Most of the time, PVC and other common drainpipe materials can withstand hot water. But what happens when the water from cooking reaches temperatures as high as 200°F/93°C? A lot. This heat can weaken pipes over time, especially at the joints where they are most susceptible to fail. Pipes that should last 30 to 50 years could break decades early, producing leaks and extra costs for repairs that you didn’t see coming.
2.It makes pipes bend and break.
When it comes to heat, PVC pipes aren’t as sturdy as metal pipes. If you pour hot water down the pipes a lot, they can extend, soften, or crack.
That means you can have leaks behind walls, under cabinets, or under floors that you can’t see until they get a lot worse.
“But doesn’t hot water help keep grease from building up?”
This is one of the most typical mistakes people make when taking care of their kitchen sinks.
Yes, hot water seems to wash away food grease and cooking oil, but it doesn’t break down grease. It doesn’t completely melt it; instead, it melts it only long enough for it to move further into your plumbing, where it cools and hardens again, out of reach.
Over time, these greasy buildups can lead to serious problems like slow drains, bad smells, and even pipes that are blocked and need to be fixed by a plumber.
These are some things you can do in the kitchen to keep your plumbing safe.
These simple things will help keep your kitchen sink in great shape for years, whether you use the microwave a lot or only once in a while.
- Always get rid of grease before you wash.
Before you rinse your pots, pans, and plates, use a paper towel or napkin to wipe off any extra grease. It only takes a few minutes. Please throw away the used paper towel in the trash. This one simple technique will help prevent oil out of your pipes, and it only takes a minute to accomplish.
2.Use drain cleaners often, but be careful.
No matter how hard you try, some food and grease will still seep into your pipes. This is why it’s a good idea to clean your drains once a month with a mild cleanser. Look for products that are safe for PVC and will break down grease. Many drain cleaners now feature antibacterial ingredients that help get rid of smells and keep your drain clean. Older people should look for solutions that don’t smell unpleasant, don’t rust, and don’t need a lot of cleaning or harsh chemicals. These are great for persons who have arthritis or skin that is easily irritated.
A Few Words About Garbage Disposals
You might think that your sink can handle anything if it has a garbage disposal. Disposals can still be damaged by hot water and grease, though. Grease can build up on the blades and interior surfaces, which makes them less useful and leads to more jams in the future. The technique is the same whether you use a disposal or not: keep the hot water in the pan and the grease out.
What should you do with boiling water that you don’t need anymore?
Here are some safer and more polite ways to get rid of that hot water instead of pouring it down the sink:
Let it cool down: Set the pot down and let the water cool to room temperature before you drain it.
You can use it again. After the water from boiling vegetables has cooled down, you can use it to water plants outside.
If you have to empty it, do it in steps and run cold water through the pipes to keep them safe.
Small Changes, Big Savings
As we get older, keeping our homes in good shape is more about stopping problems than fixing them. You don’t want to find water damage under the kitchen sink when you wake up or have to pay hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for plumbing work that could have been avoided. A simple and practical way to protect your home and save money over time is to not pour boiling water down the drain.
It’s Not Just Pipes; It’s About Being Safe
We all know that little things can add up over time, like saving a few cents a week or the damage that hot water does over time.
We exhibit love in our households every day by cooking, following customs, and spending time together. Let’s also be careful with the mechanisms that keep our homes operating.
So the next time you go to get the hot water, stop for a moment. Let it cool off. Take care of your plumbing. You will be glad you did.
