A Garbage Disposal Can Be the Kitchen MVP This Thanksgiving!
Everyone knows that the best part of Thanksgiving is the food. But the feast doesn’t put itself on the table – it involves a whole lot of shopping, prep, and cooking to make it happen. And right in the middle of the action is the kitchen sink. It will be used throughout the day for everything from food prep to handwashing – not to mention all the cleanup. So if the kitchen sink gets clogged, it can bring the entire operation to a standstill.
That’s where a garbage disposal comes in. A disposal is instrumental in preventing clogs and getting rid of food waste all at once, but it won’t be worth much if it’s poorly maintained or malfunctioning. So read on to learn how to keep a garbage disposal in good shape and how to tell when it might be in trouble.
No More Clogged Drains
In a sink without a garbage disposal, chunks of food from dirty dishes or meal prep can make their way down the drain. These chunks can get lodged in the drainpipe, particularly if the pipe walls are coated with mineral scale or hardened grease. It doesn’t take long for an obstruction to form and clog up the sink.
But with a garbage disposal, these chunks of food waste can be reduced to tiny morsels that can easily be washed down the drainpipe and into the sewer main. This is achieved by grinding the food against a shredder ring with spinning impellers – almost like a high-powered cheese grater. Unless the drain pipes are already partially clogged, the tiny food pieces will have no problem riding a wave of running water all the way down to the sewer or septic system.
Maintaining a Garbage Disposal
As great as they are at taking care of food waste, garbage disposals need a little care and maintenance to do their job properly. Firstly, homeowners should always run water while the disposal is on and for at least 15 seconds after turning it off to ensure that waste is washed away. Second, it’s best to only grind small amounts at a time to prevent overloading the unit.
On that note, some foods should never be put into the disposal, as they can jam the impellers – fruit pits, hard stems, and bones are a few such items. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and grease can gum up the works and should be put in the trash bin instead. To keep the disposal clean and smelling fresh, homeowners can regularly grind up ice cubes and citrus peels, as well as periodically pour a few gallons of boiling water down the drain.
How To Tell When a Garbage Disposal Needs Repairs
Unfortunately, not all garbage disposal issues can be prevented with maintenance. So before Turkey Day arrives, homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of trouble. Strange noises coming from the garbage disposal could indicate that the impeller is jammed or that an internal component is broken. Water leaks often point to a worn gasket or seal inside the unit – though they may also be caused by a leak elsewhere in the kitchen sink plumbing.
If the disposal won’t turn on or frequently needs to be reset using the little red button on the bottom of the unit, it usually means a failing motor or faulty wiring. Poor performance or frequent clogging may indicate that the unit is on its last leg and needs to be replaced altogether. If homeowners experience any of these issues, they would do well to call a reputable plumber that handles garbage disposal repair!
About Everest Plumbing
Everest Plumbing has been offering a peak plumbing experience for over 10 years. Their exceptional team of technicians offers guaranteed service. Flat-rate pricing and financing options mean there has never been a better time to get ahead of holiday plumbing problems. Call now for plumbing help!
