Tips to Help Avoid Garbage Disposal Problems
When dinner is over, and plates are stacked by the sink, people often scrape the excess food into the garbage disposal. This is convenient, but many food scraps and items can cause problems with garbage disposals and sewer lines. This post will explain some tips for how household residents can help keep the garbage disposal running smoothly with fewer problems.
Foods Never to Put Down the Garbage Disposal
It’s essential for people to pay attention to what goes down garbage disposals as the wrong foods can cause damage or clog the garbage disposal unit and may lead to a clogged sewer line. It’s recommended that household residents keep the following foods out of their disposal:
- Hard food items like bones, pits, and nuts
- Foods that expand with water, like rice, pasta, and oatmeal
- Fibrous foods like celery, asparagus, corn husks, and potato peels
- Cooking grease, fats, and oil
- Coffee grounds and eggshells
How Cold Water Benefits Garbage Disposals
Another tip is to run cold water while using the garbage disposal and after. This will help keep the blades clean and prevent blockages from forming as food scraps move through the system. Cold water can also help prevent the garbage disposal unit from overheating.
In addition, people can routinely grind up ice cubes in the garbage disposal to help keep it clean. When they are run through the disposal, pieces from the ice cubes can help to dislodge any lingering food scraps in the system and help to sharpen the blades.
Be Mindful of the Amount of Food Put Down the Disposal
It can be tempting to put large amounts of food down the garbage disposal at once to save time, especially when cooking or doing the dishes. However, putting large quantities of food down the disposal can lead to problems for the unit as well as sewer line clogs and blockages.
Instead, people should only put small amounts of food waste down the garbage disposal at a time. If food scraps seem too large, people can break them into smaller pieces before gradually putting them down the disposal.
It’s also crucial for homeowners to watch for signs indicating their garbage disposal needs professional attention so they can schedule a garbage disposal repair or replacement as soon as possible. Signs of an issue can include it not turning on, failure to grind food scraps properly, the garbage disposal making unusual noises like humming, and bad smells.
About Heights Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Heights Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is a family-owned and operated company serving the Fair Lawn area. They offer same-day service, on-time service, and financing. Call them for kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal repair and installation services in Fair Lawn, NJ.
