Keep Garbage Disposals Working Smoothly
Garbage disposals can be beneficial in the kitchen, grinding food scraps to help them travel through the pipes without clogging them. But if not used correctly, they can malfunction, and clogs can occur in the garbage disposal and pipes. This post will share some simple ways to help keep garbage disposals working correctly and avoid clogs.
Know What Cannot Go Down the Garbage Disposal
One of the most important ways for people to keep their garbage disposals functional and prevent drain and sewer line clogs is to be careful about what goes down the drain and garbage disposal. The wrong items can damage or clog the garbage disposal unit or clog the pipes.
Typically, foods that are safe to put down garbage disposals include small pieces of cooked meats, citrus rinds, some fruits and vegetable scraps, and ice. However, household residents should avoid putting items like bones, coffee grounds, cooking grease, fats and oils, eggshells, fibrous and stringy foods, and foods that retain water and expand, such as pasta or rice, down the disposal.
Run Cold Water and Ice Cubes Through the Disposal
Running cold water while using the disposal can help keep garbage disposals clean and functioning correctly. People should run cold water from the tap while using the garbage disposal and immediately afterward. Doing this can help flush food scraps through the system to avoid clogs and help cool off the unit to prevent it from overheating.
Household residents can also run ice cubes through the garbage disposal routinely. The ground-up pieces of ice the disposal creates can help dislodge and remove food scraps that have gotten stuck in the disposal to keep them clean and avoid bad smells. It can also help sharpen the garbage disposal blades.
Avoid Putting Large Amounts of Food Down the Disposal
People should also avoid putting large quantities of food in the garbage disposal at once. Putting too much of anything down the garbage disposal at one time can result in problems and clogs, even with foods that can be put in garbage disposals. So, it’s important to limit the amount of food that goes down the disposal at once, including cutting up large pieces of food into smaller bits and feeding them through the disposal gradually.
Homeowners should schedule garbage disposal repair or replacement when necessary. Some signs of problems include the garbage disposal unit making unusual sounds like humming or if it won’t turn on or stops grinding food correctly. The garbage disposal reset button may solve some issues, while others may require repair or replacement.
About My Professional Plumber
My Professional Plumber has more than a decade of experience serving the Oak Ridge area. They offer upfront pricing, on-time service, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them for kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal services in Oak Ridge, TN.
