What Could Put Your Garbage Disposal Out of Commission?
Garbage disposals are powerful, but that doesn’t mean they are indestructible. Certain bad habits can affect the garbage disposal’s efficiency and eventually put it out of commission.
Here’s what you should never do if you want to keep a garbage disposal functioning for years.
Don’t pour grease into the disposal
Oil and grease are the main culprits of clogged garbage disposals. Although pouring grease down the drain seems like a quick and easy solution for getting rid of it, it’s never a good idea. Although hot or warm oil is liquid, it solidifies and clogs the drain when it cools down.
Don’t forget about silverware
We’ve all heard the terrible sound of a fork, spoon, or knife stuck in the garbage disposal. It’s easy to mistakenly leave silverware in the garbage disposal or flip the switch by accident. Unfortunately, silverware can severely damage the disposal’s blades, so homeowners need to be extra careful.
If a utensil or any other object gets stuck in the unit, never try to grab it with your hands. Turning off the power source first and using tongs to retrieve it is vital. To prevent such accidents in the future, consider getting a drain guard.
Don’t run hot water
Running hot water in a garbage disposal can create clogs, especially when combined with oil and grease because it doesn’t help them dissolve.
Instead, it’s best to use cold water or ice. Firstly, plug the drain, fill around 25% of the basin with cold water, and add a few ice cubes. Then, remove the plug and turn on the disposal. This makes the drain cold and enables foods to solidify and break into pieces. Plus, it removes the existing food buildup from the drain.
Don’t throw these foods down the drain
Stringy fruits and vegetables may be good for our health, but they don’t help our garbage disposals. Celery, asparagus, and pineapple can enclose the blades and destroy them. Moreover, banana peels and potatoes can also be harmful to garbage disposals.
Pasta, eggshells, and bones shouldn’t find their way into the garbage disposal either. Pasta expands and gets sticky when wet and can clog the drain, while bones and eggshells can damage the blades.
Don’t use aggressive cleaning products
All of us want to keep our garbage disposals sparkling clean. While using harsh cleaning products such as bleach or drain cleaners will clean the drain, it will also damage it. Blades and pipes will deteriorate over time and lose their functionality.
It’s better to use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and lemon peels.
Keep your garbage disposal unit running
If you’ve noticed an issue with the garbage disposal, don’t try to fix it yourself, as this could result in more damage and serious injuries. Instead, reach out to professionals to inspect the unit and resolve the problem. These experts will also offer valuable maintenance tips for extending the disposal’s lifespan.
If you need a licensed, bonded, experienced plumber for plumbing installation and service in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Ahwatukee or San Tan Valley call Norfleet Family Plumbing Heating and Air at 480-681-1764.
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