Garbage Disposal Best Practices and Troubleshooting
Plumbers repair broken garbage disposals.
Garbage disposals are extremely popular in the United States. In many parts of the country, more homes have them than don’t, and most people can’t imagine a kitchen sink without one. Unfortunately, all too many people are misusing their garbage disposal (resulting in a jam.
Plumbers repair broken garbage disposals. Sometimes disposals can be unstuck, and sometimes they need replacing. In too many cases, human error is the cause of the issue. Here are a few tips from expert plumbers on how to properly use a garbage disposal and how to unjam it.
Dos
There are a few “must dos” when using the garbage disposal. A few things that homeowners should always do with their disposals include:
Always run water when grinding food to create good flow through the pipes. Use cold water. If any residual grease makes it into the disposal, it will solidify so the disposal can chop it up before it enters the pipe system.
Keep the disposal clean. That means regularly running soapy water through the disposal and grinding up small, hard materials such as eggshells; these scour the interior walls of the disposal.
Use the disposal often. Running a disposal prevents rust and corrosion from forming and ensures nothing builds up in the appliance over time.
Don’ts
Along with the dos, there are plenty of “don’ts,” including:
Don’t put anything into the disposal that is not biodegradable food.
Don’t pour liquified grease (such as bacon grease) down the disposal, which may clog the pipes.
Never, ever stick your hand down in the disposal without ensuring the machine’s power source is off and wearing protective gloves.
Don’t fill the disposal chamber full of food, and then turn it on. Turn on the water first and then feed in the food steadily, leaving the water on for a few seconds once the food is gone to wash out the drain line.
Food that shouldn’t go down the disposal
Although it seems that a garbage disposal is an “anything goes” appliance, there are several items that should not be put in a disposal. These items include:
Fibrous materials such as corn husks, long vegetable peels, or onion skins in the disposal
Foods that expand when wet such as pasta or rice; these can clog the pipes
Harsh drain cleaners into a disposal, which can harm the machine’s interior components
How to resolve a garbage disposal jam
If the garbage disposal jams, it might take a plumber’s skill to resolve it. However, before calling in the experts, there are a couple of tricks to try.
First, check to see if the machine needs to be reset. Typically, a small red or black switch is on the disposal’s motor under the sink. Flip the switch and try again. Next, try using the handle of a wooden spoon to knock loose whatever is jamming the disposal. If that doesn’t work, identify the hex socket under the disposal unit, then use a hex wrench to work the impeller hub back and forth. Doing so usually loosens the object jamming the disposal.
Is it still stuck? Call a reliable plumbing company. They can send an experienced plumber to evaluate the disposal and suggest a fix.
Water Wise Plumbing is a local, full-service residential plumbing company serving Las Vegas, Henderson, Paradise, Boulder City, Pahrump, and North Las Vegas. We provide Tankless water heater service, water softeners, water heater flush, leak detection and repair, water line rerouting, pipe installation, hydro-jetting, sewer services, and more. We are family-owned and operated, certified, and insured. We offer flat rate pricing and 24-hour emergency service. Call us today at (702) 605 - 6408.
