If your home has a garbage disposal system in the kitchen, which camp are you in?
- Use it all the time – enjoying the satisfaction when it roars to life and takes care of business
- Use it rarely if ever, often forgetting that you have one until a funky smell begins to drift up from the black rubber enclosure
No matter how much you use your garbage disposal, it’s important to properly maintain it – for the safety of the plumbing system and the health of everyone in your home.
Before we begin – let’s remind ourselves of the
GOLDEN RULES OF GARBAGE DISPOSAL SAFETY
- Never, ever place your hands inside the unit!
- UNPLUG the unit in the cabinet below before attempting any form of unclogging, like sticking a wooden spoon or tongs down there to loosen up debris
- Even with an unplugged unit, the blades remain super sharp – as are any bones or debris that is clogging the system. As tempting as it is, don’t stick your fingers in to go fishing for lost treasure!
- When using the sink with the disposal off, have a mesh drain cover over the entry point in case unwanted debris, rings, or bracelets fall into the sink.
With that covered, let’s discuss what should and should not go down into a garbage disposal.
The proper name of the product should be “food waste disposal”
Much of the stuff we would consider “garbage” should go into the garbage can – small batteries, paper towels, wet wipes, junk mail, etc. You would not believe the things plumbers dredge up when a garbage disposal breaks down or a drain clogs up.
But even within the world of food scraps – there’s a lot of waste that should go in the garbage and not the sink. Harder shells (clam and oyster), bones, and corn husks can break blades or jam the system. Pastas and breads can turn to paste and gum up the rotors. Oils and grease can coagulate and block the drain line. Onion peels, celery, and other fibrous foods can wrap around the blades instead of being chipped up.
So what’s the purpose of a garbage disposal?
Well, it’s supposed to make it easier to scrape dishes before hand washing or placing items into the dishwasher – plus small portions of chewable food and excess sauce that would stink up the garbage can until it’s time to take the bag to the curb. That’s basically it.
Leftover ice from drinking glasses is great for a disposal, which brings us to how to keep these systems clean and operational.
How to clean and maintain your garbage disposal
- Use it often – turning it on with cold running water will help keep the motor running and prevent small sediment from building up or rusting the blades.
- Ice with some rock salt – placed into the system along with running cold water when you turn the motor on will clean off the blades and get rid of built up gunk in the chamber.
- Baking soda and vinegar – the same reaction that fizzes up within a school volcano project – will provide just the right amount of fizz to keep your system clean.
A simple way to unjam a garbage disposal
If your garbage disposal is jammed, there’s a very simple quick fix built into the technology that may unclog the jam safely and easily without you needing to poke your fingers or any tools into the unit. Before you call a plumber, try this to see if it works.
- Open your cabinet and peek underneath the disposal unit that is mounted to the sink
- TURN THE UNIT OFF via the on/off switch – or unplug it if you can’t find the on/off switch
- Find the allen wrench that came with your unit – or select a ¼ inch allen wrench from your toolbox
- At the center of your unit, you should see a socket that your allen wrench head will fit into
- Place the wrench head into the socket and gently rock it back and forth – about a quarter turn each way – wind up in the same starting position where you began
- Turn the on/off switch back on, start water flowing into the unit – and then activate your unit using the wall switch
- If it worked – you’re back in business! If not, please give us a call, we’re here to help with a repair or replacement.
Signs your garbage disposal is ready for replacement
The typical garbage disposal will last 10-12 years, so most likely a replacement is the most affordable solution if the system can’t be easily and safely unclogged.
Typical signs your garbage disposal is nearing the end of its life are:
- A motor that hums but does not grind when tuned on
- Water leaking from the unit into the cabinet underneath the sink
- Loud and unusual clatter might indicate a loose or broken blade, a snapped rubber belt, or a burned out motor
- A motor that shuts off before you end operation
ACE Plumbing and Rooter is here to help you with all of your kitchen plumbing needs. We can unclog drains and replace garage disposal units, setting you up with a brand new system that will last for a decade or more if properly maintained using the tips above.
