Sinks Maintenance Guides

The caulk around your sink is the only thing stopping water from running behind the basin and into the cabinet or wall. When it cracks, peels, or develops gaps, water finds its way in silently. By the time you notice, the plywood under the countertop is swollen and mold has started growing. Checking and maintaining caulk takes 15 minutes and prevents thousands in damage.

Every sink material has a cleaning method that works and a method that damages it. Stainless steel can handle what porcelain can't. Granite composite laughs off things that would ruin copper. Using the wrong cleaner once can leave permanent marks. Here's what actually works for each material -- and what to keep far away from it.

A slow drain gets slower. A drain that smells gets worse. Both problems build up gradually and both are easy to prevent with a few minutes of monthly maintenance. The drain, P-trap, and tailpiece are the most neglected parts of any sink -- they work fine until they don't, and by then the clog or smell has been developing for months.

A stained or scratched sink makes the whole kitchen or bathroom look tired. The good news: most sink damage is cosmetic and fixable at home. Stains come out with the right product and patience. Scratches in stainless can be buffed. Even chips in porcelain can be repaired. Here's how to handle each type of damage.