Garbage disposals are one of the most convenient appliances in any kitchen, making food disposal easier while maintaining a cleaner workspace. However, they can quickly become clogged, damaged, or completely broken without proper care. Regular maintenance should be undertaken to keep them running smoothly and avoid expensive repairs or replacement costs. Here are essential maintenance tips to protect and keep your garbage disposal functioning effectively: 832-441-9683 for more assistance from us with plumbing needs!
1. Know What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal
One of the best strategies to effectively maintain and safeguard garbage disposal is to know what food waste goes down your drain. While not all items may be suitable for disposal, certain can damage blades, clog pipes, and jam the motor, causing costly issues with your garbage disposal unit. To safeguard its operation safely, avoid adding these to the waste stream:
- Celery, corn husks, and asparagus can wrap themselves around blades, causing motor malfunctions.
- Starchy foods like potato peels, rice, and pasta may form a sticky paste, clog pipes, and decrease blade efficiency.
- Bones, pits, and large food chunks can be too large for the disposal to handle properly and may break or dull its blades. Ground coffee and eggshells might initially seem harmless, but these substances create a thick sludge-like residue that clogs your disposal unit over time.
For optimal long-term performance, careful consideration must be given to what goes down your disposal. If unsure, always err on the side of caution and dispose of items safely in the trash can.
2. Utilize Cold Water When Utilizing Your Disposal
Many people underestimate the significance of cold water when operating a garbage disposal, yet many often fail to run cold water before, during, and after using their disposals. Running cold water helps solidify grease or fat found in food, so your garbage disposal can work more easily without clogging its pipes; additionally, keep running 15 seconds after shutting off to flush any remaining particles down your drainpipes.
Avoid running hot water through your disposal when running it; hot water may melt grease into the pipes, leading to future blockages and potential blockage issues. Cold water works much more effectively at keeping both your disposal and pipes free from the accumulation of sediment and grime.
3. Avoid Overloading the Disposal
A garbage disposal works most efficiently when its load doesn’t become excessively full. Instead of pouring large quantities of food waste into it, feed it slowly while running cold water to minimize jams, reduce grinding efficiency, and put undue strain on its motor. By gradually feeding waste to it in small increments, you ensure each piece is ground thoroughly before adding more pieces, thus decreasing the risk of clogs or damage.
4. Make Sure The Disposal Is Running Regularly
Even if food waste disposal isn’t a top priority daily, running your garbage disposal regularly is still recommended to protect it and ensure optimal functioning. Regular usage helps avoid corrosion build-up on moving parts and flushes out any remaining particles from its inner workings—simply turn it on with some cold water for several seconds once every few days to maintain the functionality of this essential appliance!
5. Arrange Regular Professional Maintenance
While professional care of your garbage disposal can often prevent issues from developing, professional inspection and servicing may still be required to keep it running at its optimal performance. A skilled plumber can conduct an in-depth examination, clearing away build-up from behind hidden pipes and identifying minor problems before they escalate further. Scheduling an annual or biannual check-up appointment could extend its life and keep everything operating as it should.
Conclusion
A little attention goes a long way when it comes to maintaining your trash disposal at its best. By being mindful about what goes into it, running cold water when possible, and cleaning regularly, you can prevent many common issues and extend its lifespan. Furthermore, avoid overloading, inspect for loose parts, and seek professional maintenance to make your disposal a convenient and reliable kitchen appliance. Should you need any assistance with any issues or need expert assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our plumbing professionals.Protecting your garbage disposal saves time and money and creates a cleaner kitchen environment. With these tips, you can enjoy using it without fearing frequent repairs or unexpected breakdowns! Contact us for any plumbing services: 832-441-9683.