Garbage Disposal FAQ
Garbage disposals are one of the unsung heroes in our homes. These appliances prevent the kitchen sink from constantly clogging up. They also make the task of washing dishes less cumbersome. These appliances are in almost all homes, but not many people fully understand how they work. Understanding how they work is important to prevent possible issues. Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin, has put together this compilation of the most common questions people have about garbage disposals. Read on and get the answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask!
Is the Garbage Disposal Dangerous?
The image that many people have in their minds about garbage disposals is that this appliance is chockfull of knives and blades which are just waiting to chop anything that comes their way. This mental picture scares people so much that they don’t want to even open the garbage disposal to see what is inside!
The plumbing maintenance experts at Turek’s Plumbing Services assert that while garbage disposals have some sharp moving parts, the bulk of the work is performed by a rotating hammer that will not do much damage to your hand.
This means that you can turn the disposal off and carefully use your hand to remove an object that is stuck there.
How Can I Maintain the Garbage Disposal?
Plumbers in Sacramento, CA from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing say that there are a number of things that you can do to keep the garbage disposal working at its best. Those measures include:
- Run it frequently so that the moving parts and other components don’t corrode or develop other defects due to long periods of disuse.
- Leave the garbage disposal to run for a while even after it makes a sound that shows you that the garbage has been ground up. This additional run time will get rid of all food remnants and the disposal will be free from residues that can trigger corrosion, nasty odors, and other problems.
- Speaking of smells, it is a good habit to periodically place citrus peels in the garbage disposal. The grounded peels deodorize the garbage disposal and prevent odors from developing.
Can the Garbage Disposal Affect the Dishwasher?
If you notice that the dishwasher isn’t draining properly, the garbage disposal may have some issues. For example, some people forget to remove the drain plug when they first install a new garbage disposal. Consequently, water from the dishwasher will have no channel to flow through and it will backup.
Which Foods Shouldn’t Be Put in the Garbage Disposal?
To keep your garbage disposal running properly, there are certain foods you should never pour down the drain. Some foods will have an adverse effect on the garbage disposal or the plumbing system. Those foods include:
- Grease. It can cool and harden, and over time, clogs will develop as more solids get trapped by the grease.
- Fibrous foods, such as celery stalks, eggshells, corn husks and onion skins.
- Seeds, bones, and kernels.
- Coffee grounds.
We know that you will still have questions about your garbage disposal from time to time, and that is why at Turek’s Plumbing Services are inviting you to contact us for quality plumbing. Our experienced plumbers will give you all the information that you need to fix minor garbage disposal issues. We will handle the more complex defects so that you don’t have to worry about the plumbing system of your home. Contact us today!
