3 Tips for Keeping Garbage Disposals Working Properly

Preparing the Garbage Disposal for the Holiday Season

Many people gather with family and friends for celebratory meals over the holidays. Because of this, the garbage disposal is at a greater risk of getting clogged or running into other problems. Homeowners can use this list of tips to help them prepare their garbage disposals for the holiday season before guests arrive. 

Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Garbage Disposal 

Garbage disposals are designed to help the plumbing system dispose of residual food left over on a plate by grinding it up. A garbage disposal is not the same thing as a trash can. 

To keep it in good condition, homeowners must be mindful of what goes down. Large pieces of food should be chucked in the trash, not down the kitchen drain. A clean garbage disposal will help prevent foul, embarrassing odors when guests arrive for the holidays. 

Children and new guests in the home may need to be reminded not to dispose of certain food waste with the garbage disposal. Putting the wrong thing down the garbage disposal can cause it to clog up, build up a stinky residue inside the drain, or even cause permanent damage to the hardware. 

Food Waste That Should Not Go Down the Garbage Disposal:

• Cooking oil and grease
• Animal fat
• Bones
• Seafood shells
• Fruit pits 
• Foods high in starch (pasta, potatoes, oats)

Run the Water While Using Garbage Disposals

According to plumbing experts, the best way to use the garbage disposal is to scrape large food chunks into the trash can and then run the garbage disposal while rinsing the remaining food residue off the plate. The water should be running while the garbage disposal is in use to keep the blades clean and prevent food items from getting stuck. 

Some garbage disposals are better suited for disposing of larger food particles than others. In general, homeowners should prevent putting too many things down the system at once. Putting ice cubes in the system may be a DIY solution that works for fixing the clogged garbage disposal and keeping the system cleaner. 

Add a few cups of ice cubes to the drain and activate the garbage disposal while the water runs for a quick and easy cleaning hack to remove pesky food buildup in the disposal. 

Add some baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and/or dish soap with the ice cubes to amp up this garbage disposal cleaning hack. When all the ice cubes have been disposed of through the drain, homeowners should run hot water to rinse it down into the sewer. 

Leave Garbage Disposal Repair Up to the Professionals 

Garbage disposals are notorious for getting clogged up or running into other problems. Some homeowners may be tempted to try to fix these problems themselves, but garbage disposal installation, maintenance, and repairs can be dangerous if not done correctly. 

An unqualified person may injure themselves, trying to unclog the garbage disposal, worsen the problem, or cause permanent damage to the system. 

Signs Garbage Disposal Is Not Working Properly:

• Foul odors coming from the garbage disposal
• The sink is draining slowly or not at all 
• Garbage disposal humming or making strange noises
• It will not power on
• Garbage disposal leaking water
• Having to use the garbage disposal reset button frequently

Instead of risking injury or needing an expensive garbage disposal replacement, it is best to call in the experts. An experienced plumber can quickly identify what exactly is wrong with the garbage disposal and efficiently repair the problem. 

Professionals also have insurance that protects homeowners from liability if something goes wrong during the repair, such as if someone is injured or if additional damage to the system occurs. 

About West Plumbing LLC 

Need a reliable emergency plumber over the holidays? Call West Plumbing LLC today for plumbing maintenance and repairs in Chandler, AZ! Their highly-trained plumbing professionals are available to help homeowners with their plumbing needs over the holidays or any time of year. 

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