Ways to Help Keep Garbage Disposals Working Properly
While homeowners may pay attention to numerous kitchen appliances and ensure they are maintained and functioning well, they might overlook the garbage disposal. These units can conveniently grind up food scraps to help them travel safely down the pipes.
However, if they are not used correctly or malfunction, it can lead to issues, such as a sewer line clog. Fortunately, there are some simple steps homeowners can take to prevent garbage disposal problems from occurring.
Avoid Putting the Wrong Items Down the Disposal
One key step to keeping a garbage disposal working well and avoiding a clogged sewer line is to be careful about what types of items and foods are put down the disposal. Mistakingly putting the wrong things down the unit can lead to malfunctions and blockages. It’s recommended that people never put the following types of food scraps down the disposal:
- Hard items like pits, bones, seafood shells, and nuts
- Cooking grease, fat, and oil
- Foods like rice, pasta, and oatmeal
- Fibrous vegetables like celery, artichokes, and asparagus
- Potato peels
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
If homeowners are unsure whether or not it’s safe to put something down a garbage disposal, it’s best to be safe and throw it in the garbage. However, some items are typically safe to go down the disposal, such as rinds from citrus fruits, cooked meats that are chopped up, and some fruits and vegetable scraps.
Run Cold Water When Using Garbage Disposals
Another way to help prevent garbage disposal issues is to run cold water while using the unit and for a little bit after turning it off. This will keep food particles flowing down the drain to help avoid clogs and keep the disposal and its components clean. Cold water can also help prevent the unit from overheating.
Something else that can safely go down garbage disposals to help keep them cleaner is ice cubes. When people put ice cubes down their garbage disposals, the ice gets ground up, and the shards of ice can help dislodge any stubborn food scraps stuck in the unit and help sharpen the blades.
Limit the Amount of Food That Goes Down the Disposal
Another tip for homeowners to help keep their garbage disposals functioning properly is to pay attention to how much food is put down the disposal at once. People should limit the amount of food put down the disposal at a time to help prevent clogs and problems with the garbage disposal.
It’s recommended to only put small amounts of food down the disposal at a time. Larger quantities of food should be broken into smaller pieces and fed into the disposal a little at a time to avoid problems from occurring or thrown into the garbage instead.
In addition, homeowners should watch for signs indicating the garbage disposal needs to be repaired or replaced. Some signs garbage disposal repair may be needed are unusual humming sounds, bad smells, and failure to turn on or properly grind food.
About Honey Go Fix It
Honey Go Fix It is a commercial and residential plumbing company serving the Dayton area. They offer same-day service, financing, and friendly service. Call them for kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal services in Dayton, OH.
