Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Excellent Shape With These Helpful Tips

How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Humming Along Through the Holidays

The holidays are officially here, and with all the holiday festivities, many families are beginning to plan their parties, gatherings, and celebrations, none of which are complete without lots and lots of food. While this is all fun and exciting, it also means that kitchens will be abuzz with activity, and while the stove and oven are where the action is, kitchen sinks will get a lot of mileage as well, with all the cleaning up afterward. 

The last thing anybody needs during this festive season is to be dealing with clogged or broken garbage disposals, so read on to find out some important dos and don’ts of keeping the garbage disposal in excellent shape to get through the holiday season.  

Keep These Foods Out of the Disposal

Food waste is one of the primary reasons why garbage disposals clog and break down and a common cause of clogged pipes. When certain types of food are allowed to go through the kitchen drain, they can cause problems for the garbage disposal and the home’s piping. These types of food that should never go down garbage disposals include oil and grease, coffee grounds, hard foods like fruit pits and bones, fibrous vegetables and potato peels, and expandable foods like pasta, rice, and oatmeal.  

Not only can these types of food waste cause problems for garbage disposals, but if they make their way past them, they can clog the drain pipes and sewer lines, creating even more problems for the household, such as slow draining, backups, and bad smells. Additionally, too much food should never be put down drains and garbage disposals simultaneously to avoid problems. 

Run the Disposal With Running Water

Running cold water through the garbage disposal system during and after its operation is also crucial for maintaining the system. The water flow aids in flushing the food waste through the system, thereby keeping the blades clean and preventing unwanted waste buildup that could lead to jams or clogs. 

The continuous flow of water also helps to cool the motor, reducing the chances of overheating during prolonged use. Additionally, a handy trick to dislodge any stubborn food particles stuck in the garbage disposal is to use ice cubes. When ground, ice chips can reach crevices that water might not, thus effectively scraping off residual waste and dislodging food, ensuring a cleaner, smoother-running disposal.

Call Your Trusted Plumber for Repairs

Homeowners do what they can to prevent garbage disposal breakdowns and clogs, but things don’t always go according to plan, and garbage disposal repair may be needed. Even well-kept garbage disposals can break down, and when they do, the best thing to do is call a plumber. Some problems can be solved by pressing the garbage disposal reset button, but for more complex fixes, a plumber will have the disposal up and running again in no time.

Recognizing signs of garbage disposal problems can prevent further damage, so if the disposal is making unusual noises, has persistent odors even after cleaning, is leaking under the sink, is unable to grind food or needs frequent resets, or if the disposal refuses to turn on, it’s time to call for professional repair.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company that has been serving Annapolis, MD, and the surrounding areas since 1947. They provide flat rates, live assistance, and a preventative maintenance agreement. Call them today for garbage disposal installation and repair in Annapolis, MD.

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