Trinity Plumbing gets called out for garbage disposal repair… A LOT. We often find that homeowners and renters think that garbage disposal can handle anything and get put through a lot of wear and tear. I am going to discuss a few ways to help extend the life of your garbage disposal.
The drainage under your sink takes on a lot when you also have a dishwasher and garbage disposal. The first thing we look for is to make sure all of the piping and hoses are properly installed and functioning. Never run your garbage disposal while running the dishwasher if they are on the same line.
Things You Should Not Put Down a Garbage Disposal
Popular belief is that all food items can go down a garbage disposal. Below is a list of items that often keep you calling the plumber to fix your disposal.
Fibrous foods: These foods, such as celery, asparagus, and corn husks, can wrap around the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to jam.
Starchy foods: Foods like rice, pasta, and potatoes can also clog up the garbage disposal.
Bones: Bones can damage the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to break.
Grease and oil: Grease and oil can build up on the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to become less efficient.
Coffee grounds: Coffee grounds can also build up on the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to clog.
Eggshells: Eggshells can break into small pieces and clog the garbage disposal.
Pitted fruits: The pits of fruits, such as cherries and plums, can damage the blades of the garbage disposal.
Metal utensils: Metal utensils can also damage the blades of the garbage disposal.
Glass: Glass can shatter and damage the garbage disposal.
Plastic: Plastic can wrap around the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to jam.
General Maintenance
Here are a few suggestions to help keep your garbage disposal happy and healthy.
Run ice cubes through the garbage disposal to sharpen the blades.
Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it fizz for 5 minutes.
Flush the garbage disposal with hot water for 30 seconds.
Grind up lemon peels to deodorize the garbage disposal.
Run the garbage disposal with a mixture of water and dish soap to clean it.
Replacement
If maintained properly, the average life of a garbage disposal is 10 years. If you think it’s time to replace your garbage disposal give us a call and we can check it out for you.
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