Professional Tips to Keep Garbage Disposals Functioning
Homeowners can love the convenience garbage disposals provide. They can quickly and efficiently handle post-dinner clean-ups and keep kitchens smelling fresh. However, if they malfunction, they can lead to clogs and foul odors. In this post, plumbers will share some steps that are important for helping prevent garbage disposal problems and clogged pipes.
Foods to Avoid Putting Down the Garbage Disposal
While it can be tempting for homeowners to quickly scrape dinner leftovers down the garbage disposal, not all foods they put down the system are safe for the units. Some can cause sewer line clogs or damage the disposal. Numerous foods, like hard foods or greasy items, should not be put down the disposal. Plumbers recommend avoiding bones, fruit pits, cooking fats and oils, and stringy or fibrous vegetables like celery and corn husks. They should also avoid expandable foods like rice, pasta, and more, as well as things like coffee grounds and potato peels.
What foods are safe to put down in the garbage disposal? Plumbers typically say that soft food scraps are the best option. These include fruit rind, chopped-up meat that’s not too fatty or bony, fruit and vegetable scraps (excluding fibrous ones), and ice. They can be easily ground, preventing clogs or damage to the blades. By following these simple tips, homeowners can help keep their garbage disposals working correctly and help avoid a clogged sewer line.
Avoid Clogs by Running Cold Water
Another easy way for homeowners to keep their garbage disposals functioning is to run cold water while using it and right after turning it off. This simple step can prevent foul odors and food from building up in the system and result in a clean garbage disposal. It can also keep the system from overheating.
Plumbers also recommend that homeowners put ice cubes down the disposal. This might seem odd, but it can help remove food particles that have gotten stuck and sharpen the blades.
Avoid Putting Too Much Food Down the Disposal
When homeowners are quickly scraping dishes or cooking dinner, they might shove numerous food scraps down the system at once. This helps them eliminate the waste quickly, but it can also cause clogs and problems for the garbage disposal.
Instead, homeowners should limit the amount of food they put down the system at one time. Plumbers recommend chopping large pieces of food into smaller pieces to avoid clogs.
Property owners should also schedule garbage disposal repairs at the first signs of a problem or if the garbage disposal reset button doesn’t work. If they notice a blockage in the unit, garbage disposal humming noises while it’s running, or the unit is no longer properly grinding food, households should schedule garbage disposal repair or replacement.
About Woodfin – Your Home Team
Woodfin – Your Home Team is a top-rated heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing company in Richmond. They offer same-day services, 24/7 live customer support, and transparent pricing. Call them today for garbage disposal services and replacements in Richmond, VA.