Preventing Garbage Disposal Problems
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Preventing Garbage Disposal Problems

Thanksgiving Dinner

With holiday gatherings right around the corner your under sink disposal may soon be working overtime to clean up after dinner guests.  A holiday gathering is never a good time to run into plumbing problems. Here are some tips to help keep your disposal working smoothly during the holidays and all year long.

1. Run cold water

Cold water keeps the food waste as solid as possible, helping the disposal grind more efficiently. Cold water also keeps grease from clinging to the inside of the drain, which will help prevent build-up that can cause clogged drains.

2. Keep food waste as small as possible

A garbage disposal isn’t like a food processor, as it has no blades to cut up larger pieces. It uses centrifugal force and an impeller to break up food into smaller pieces. It works best when fed small pieces. Put larger waste in the garbage to prevent problems.

3. Don’t put starchy foods down the disposal

Sticky or stringy foods like potatoes, banana peels, rice, pasta etc. can form a thick glue-like paste inside the disposal and the drain pipe. This can reduce the effectiveness of the disposal and increase the likelihood of a clogged drain.

4. Avoid grinding hard foods

Bones, fruit pits, and seeds will wear down the grinder, shortening the lifespan of the unit. Hard foods are also more likely to  jam a disposal.

5. Use the disposal regularly

When not used regularly garbage disposals can corrode and allow food residue to harden inside the grinding chamber. In some cases this can cause the disposal to seize up and stop working. It’s important to run the disposal regularly, even for short periods of time while running cold water. When you’re finished grinding waste let the water run for 15 seconds to clean the chamber.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]