Common Kitchen Problems
Kitchens are the germ-prone areas of a home, and it’s important to keep them well maintained. However, some homeowners face problems that could lead to health and hygiene concerns.
One common problem results from the kitchen layout design, where the sink, refrigerator, and stove aren’t positioned at ideal distances from each other. Another is the lack of adequate task lighting that focuses on specific sites for cooking and cleaning.
Sink Drainage
A kitchen sink that drains slowly or doesn't drain at all can be a big inconvenience. This can be caused by a variety of things, from food residue to grease. Grease can harden, clogging the sink drain and the underlying pipes.
A garbage disposal can help with this problem, but if you don't have one, try a simple DIY solution. Pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar down the drain; this combination creates a fizzy, bubbling reaction that helps break up clogs.
If the baking soda and vinegar don't work, you'll need to remove the P-trap underneath the sink. Put on a pair of gloves (plastic dishwashing gloves or leather are best) and place a bucket, garbage bag or trash can underneath the pipes to catch any food or water that may drip out as you unscrew them. Next, feed a plumber's snake or makeshift coat hanger down the pipe to dislodge any blockage. Usually plumbing problems that occur in the kitchen require help. You can go online to websites such as https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-melbourne/ have resourceful information that can provide plumbing service for your kitchen needs.
Smelly Fridge or Freezer
A smelly fridge or freezer can be caused by anything from food that has spoiled to mold and bacteria. You can eliminate bad odors in the refrigerator by ensuring that everything is fully inventoried and properly cleaned. This includes the drip pan, which is a small tray that collects condensation from your refrigerator. It typically has a cover that you can open, and it should be cleaned with a deodorizing cleaning solution.
Domestic freezers are commonly attached to refrigerators, which means that smells from the fridge can migrate to the freezer. You can prevent this from happening by regularly cleaning the freezer and using a deodorizing product when needed.
It's also helpful to store foods in clear jars or containers, as this will help you easily see what needs to be eaten first. This will keep your fridge and freezer from becoming overcrowded, which can cause food to spoil more quickly. You can also try storing foods that are more likely to expire in the freezer, such as condiments and spices, in airtight plastic bags or containers.
Cracks and Chips in Tiles
Tiles aren’t flexible so if they are fixed to a substrate or surface that moves, cracks and chips can occur. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to repair and disguise when
they do happen.
If a crack is contained to a small area or single tile, it likely was caused by a sharp blow such as a heavy piece of furniture falling over in an entryway, a falling pot or pan from the stove or cast iron in the kitchen or any number of other impacts. Cracks may also be due to incorrect installation or the substrate shifting.
Start by cleaning the cracked area well and then removing any grout around the chip. Apply green tape to the edges of the crack or chip continuing around all sides, this isolates the area and helps prevent paint overflow if you need to re-paint the chipped surface. Using epoxy filler, apply layers of the product to the chipped area until it is flush with the tile. Once dry, sand the epoxy smooth and then paint with a water-based acrylic.
Not Enough Storage Space
As kitchens are often the most germ-prone parts of a home, it is important to ensure they are well-organized and sanitized at all times. But if there isn’t enough storage space to hold your utensils, tools and appliances, they will quickly become disorganized and messy, leading to more cleaning and scrubbing.
Similarly, if there isn’t sufficient bin space for your rubbish, it can easily become overflowing and filled with smelly waste. This is a common kitchen problem that can easily be avoided by planning your space properly, taking into account how many people you have in your household and what your family’s recycling habits are.
In order to avoid these issues, plan your kitchen thoroughly and make use of every inch of storage space available in your home, such as installing cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. This allows you to maximize vertical space and store less-used items on higher shelves. It also makes it much easier to reach everything you need while working in the kitchen.