Garbage Disposal Tips & Tricks
Prolong the Life Expectancy of Your
Garbage Disposal with these Maintenance Tips
The garbage disposal is a kitchen appliance designed to break down food scraps. Once broken down into smaller pieces, the water washes the food scraps down the drain. Be cautious when using your garbage disposal, as improper use can lead to clogs or even damage your unit.
How to Use Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a massive help to any kitchen. You should follow these tips to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly:
Run Water After Each Use
Many believe using a garbage disposal is the last step when washing the dishes. One last step to complete is rinsing the leftover smaller pieces down the drain. Run water before, during, and after using the garbage disposal. This will help clear any leftover debris within the garbage disposal or the pipes below. To ensure your garbage disposal is clear of debris after use, you should run water for 5 to 10 seconds. Water will rinse out leftover pieces and help dislodge anything stuck to pipes.
Avoid Overloading Your Garbage Disposal
One of the easiest ways to clog or break the garbage disposal is to overload it. This appliance effectively clears any food that goes down the sink. Yet, you should not treat your garbage disposal as a trash can. You should dispose of all food before the plate or dish reaches the sink. Disposing of the food this way will help lessen the strain on your garbage disposal. The garbage disposal operates most efficiently with small amounts of food, such as a few beans left on your plate.
Grease and Oil Do Not Belong Down the Drain
Grease and oil are a big problem for garbage disposals and plumbing systems. One of the main problems is that grease and oil solidify as they cool down. Due to the low melting point, they adhere to the inner walls of the pipes, creating barriers that will restrict water flow and clog your system later on. You should avoid pouring grease or oil down the sink altogether. Instead, when you have finished cooking and no longer need the grease or oil. You should pour what is left over into a cup or container and dispose of the contents when it has cooled down.
What Is Bad for My Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are powerful appliances that can help discard and break down food. Once the food is in smaller pieces, the water washes it down the drain. While garbage disposals are helpful, they are not built to handle large portions of food or non-food items. To prolong the life of your garbage disposal, you should avoid the following items:
Grease, oil, or other fats
Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, or artichoke leaves
Potato Skins
Bones
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Non-food items
It is important to note that these items can damage, clog, or even break your garbage disposal. To avoid issues, do not place these food items in your sink; it can serve as an effective deterrent. Avoid the possibility of them finding their way into your garbage disposal altogether.
Avoid Chemical Cleaners for Your Sink or Garbage Disposal
If your sink begins to retain water while in use, you most likely have a clog within your plumbing system. Be cautious when trying to clear your drain of the clog. Relying on chemical cleaners may seem like a quick fix, but they may cause more harm than good. Some chemical cleaners can cause a chemical reaction within the pipes below your sink. Chemical cleaners may contain acidic substances that generate heat and damage the inner walls. Due to the heat of the acidic substances, a plastic barrier can form further down the pipe. Restricting the flow of water and preventing other items from passing through. If the pipe gets damaged, you will need to replace that section. If this occurs, contact a reliable plumber to replace the pipe or clear the blockage.
How to Prolong the Life Expectancy
of Your Garbage Disposal
How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clean
One of the best ways to keep your garbage disposal clean is to grind up ice. Ice will dislodge any stuck food pieces or hidden build-up within the garbage disposal. The ice will also help clean off the blades, removing leftover residue after use. Once you have ground the ice with the garbage disposal, run water from the faucet for 5-15 seconds. Rinsing out any leftover particles or pieces dislodged in the process.
Is Your Garbage Disposal Jammed?
Looking for a good home DIY maintenance tip? Here is one way to fix a jammed garbage disposal. A good example of a jam is if you have overloaded the disposal with fibrous foods or potato skins. These items can become stringy or starchy and add resistance to the motor, causing the jam. The easiest home fix to dislodge this jam is using an Allen key or wrench. You can use the Allen key on the bottom of the garbage disposal in the sink cabinet. If you insert the Allen key into this hole, you can manually rotate the appliance to clear the jam. If the jam persists, you might need to call a plumber.
Call A Plumber for Help
When your garbage disposal begins to experience frequent issues such as clogs, leaks, or strange noises, it may be time to address the problem. Contact a professional plumber to inspect your garbage disposal and uncover any hidden issues.
Solutions and Tips to Keep Your
Garbage Disposal in Working Condition
Grease and Oil:
Avoid pouring grease or oil down your drain. Over time, these substances can build up and cause clogs. Grease and oil can coat the blades in your garbage disposal, reducing effectiveness. After cooking, pour any leftover grease or oil into a cup or container. Once it has cooled, you can dispose of the contents in the trash.
2. Proper Use:
Garbage disposals assist in breaking down food scraps that did not make it to the trash. However, larger food scraps can be more challenging to break down, increasing the risk of jams or clogs. There are several types of items that you should avoid putting in your garbage disposal. Here are a few examples: potato skins, egg shells, bones, and non-food items like forks. These items can be too hard or fibrous, causing damage and/or a clog in the future. Another problem to look out for is overloading your garbage disposal. Putting large amounts of food into the garbage disposal can be as dangerous as putting the wrong items.
3. Clean Your Garbage Disposal:
Grind up ice within your garbage disposal. Ice is one of the safest and easiest ways to clean your garbage disposal. Upon finishing the dishes, you should run water for 5-15 seconds to clear any leftover debris. Then, let a few iced cubes fall into the garbage disposal and run it for about 5-10 seconds. Thereafter, run water for another 10-20 seconds. Rinsing anything that the ice collects down the drain. Grinding ice will help clear hard-to-reach places and clean the blades.
When to Call a Plumber
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your garbage disposal, helping you save time and money while avoiding future frustration or plumbing visits.
Most garbage disposals have a life expectancy of 8-15 years. Although unexpected problems can happen, it's best to practice proper use. Learning to use your garbage disposal can make the difference between 8 to 15 years in life expectancy. Yet, if your garbage disposal begins to make unusual noises, jam often, or has other problems. Call a plumber you trust to be able to diagnose your garbage disposal. A plumber can assess the garbage disposal and provide options to fix or replace the unit.
If you need help with plumbing issues, contact Emergency Rooter Plumbing & Repair Services. Our plumbers can assist with various problems, including your garbage disposal.