Take Good Care of the Garbage Disposal During the Holidays
While homeowners can have a lot of fun hosting friends and family for the holidays, the extra cooking and dishwashing can take a toll on their garbage disposal. Putting too many items down the garbage disposal or the wrong things can cause damage or clogs and possibly require professional garbage disposal repairs.
Here are some tips to help homeowners take good care of their garbage disposals, including what foods shouldn’t go into a garbage disposal, how running cold water and ice through the disposal can help it, and what signs to watch for that can indicate garbage disposals need service.
Don’t Dispose of Certain Food Waste in the Disposal
One of the most common reasons for garbage disposal problems is misuse and putting the wrong things into it. Fortunately, homeowners can help prevent garbage disposal problems and pipe clogs by not putting certain items down the disposal, including:
- Grease and cooking oils: As these solidify, they can cause clogs in the pipes and the disposal.
- Stringy foods and vegetables: Fiboroud foods like celery, artichokes, and cornhusks can get tangled in the garbage disposal.
- Starchy, expandable foods: Foods like pasta, bread, and rice can absorb water and create clogs.
- Bones: Hard bones can damage the blades and components in a garbage disposal.
- Coffee grounds and eggshells: Coffee grounds and eggshells can accumulate and form blockages.
- Pits: Hard pits from foods like peaches and avocados can wreak havoc for the disposal and its blades.
Additionally, nothing should be put into the garbage disposal in large quantities. Even foods that can go into garbage disposals, like cooked meats and citrus rinds, can create problems if too much is put into them at once.
Run Cold Water and Ice Through the System
When using a garbage disposal, homeowners should remember to run cold water down the disposal. Running cold water while using the garbage disposal and after it’s off benefits the unit and piping by:
- Pushing food particles down the drain and pipes
- Helping prevent clogs from forming
- Cooling the motor to prevent it from overheating
- Making the grinding process easier
- Reducing odors from the drain and disposal
Homeowners can also routinely put ice cubes down the garbage disposal to help dislodge any food that has gotten stuck from the garbage disposal unit.
Trust a Plumber With Garbage Disposal Services
When a household notices signs of garbage disposal problems, such as the garbage disposal humming or making strange noises, the garbage disposal leaking, foul smells, or if the reset button must be used too often, they should schedule garbage disposal repair with a plumber. Professionals should also perform garbage disposal installation and replacement to ensure they are done correctly the first time.
Having these services performed by a professional allows plumbers to address safety concerns and get them back up and running as soon as possible. While some issues may be able to be solved with the garbage disposal reset button, having to use the button can also indicate an underlying problem that needs professional attention.
About Stonelink Plumbing & Heating
Stonelink Plumbing & Heating has been serving East Providence, RI, and the surrounding areas since 1976. They provide transparent pricing, on-time service, and the latest technology. Call them today for kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal services in East Providence, RI.
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