Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance is crucial for keeping a garbage disposal working well.

A garbage disposal system helps prevent clogs by grinding food waste, thereby keeping plumbing disasters at bay. Proper maintenance is crucial for keeping this system working well but hidden from sight; this appliance often escapes homeowners’ attention.

Please keep reading for crucial garbage disposal maintenance tips that keep this unit in prime shape.

Prevent rusting

Some may think moderate usage might extend the life of their garbage disposal. This isn’t necessarily true. Garbage disposals should be used regularly to prevent the blades from accumulating rust. Also, remember to run some cold water through the system daily.

Know what’s off limits

Although the blades of a garbage disposal system can grind up many types of waste effectively, they aren’t invincible. Therefore, certain types of food waste should go in the garbage can instead of the garbage disposal. Hard items like bones and fruit pits are a no-brainer (they should not be thrown in the garbage disposal), but the list of forbidden foods is surprisingly long.

For instance, vegetable and fruit peels and eggshells can stick to the sides of the pipes and lead to jams. Stringy foods like celery can also potentially cause problems with the blades. Starchy foods like pasta and rice are sticky and can lead to clogs, while coffee grounds and grease can accumulate in the pipes.

Steer clear of chemicals

DIY solutions for maintaining pipes and garbage disposals can sometimes do more harm than good. Commercial cleaners aimed at unclogging pipes contain harsh chemicals that can lead to irreparable damage. Regularly pouring these down the garbage disposal might shorten the system’s lifespan. Professional maintenance can prevent these issues from happening. Call a plumber to snake your garbage disposal once every two years; chemical cleaners will never be necessary.

Don’t overstuff the drain

Garbage disposal systems grind small amounts of food waste. Avoid overstuffing the drain to ensure the appliance can do its job correctly. Make sure to run cold water whenever putting food waste through the disposal. Water will help carry the food pieces down, preventing them from getting stuck.

Clean the system regularly

Accumulated food waste in the garbage disposal smells bad and can prevent the system from working correctly. Homeowners should clean their garbage disposals at least once every two weeks. Feed some ice cubes through the system to remove physical debris first. Natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar help eliminate odors, while dish soap removes grease.

Don’t skip maintenance

Being aware of the capacities of a garbage disposal system is the most critical maintenance tip. If the system malfunctions despite these precautions, it’s time to call in a professional. Expert plumbers can tackle clogs, leaks, and other issues and get the system back on track in no time.

Adaven Plumbing is a family-owned residential and commercial plumbing company specializing in water heater installation, repair, or replacement, water filtration, water softeners, garbage disposal installation, garbage disposal repair, and garbage disposal replacement. We are licensed and available 24 hours, Monday to Saturday.