Garbage disposals, or waste disposal units, are installed under kitchen sinks in homes and restaurants. They’re designed for grinding food waste into small pieces to be flushed down the drain.
A garbage disposal unit can be a great addition to your kitchen if you prepare many meals at home. However, they require proper maintenance and use; otherwise, they can result in clogs, leaks, foul odors, and other problems. Avoid these issues with our garbage disposal dos and don’ts:
Garbage Disposal Do’s
- Do not pour grease or fat into your garbage disposal. Grease will congeal in the pipes due to this, resulting in clogs and blockages.
- Do not pour coffee grinds or egg shells into your garbage disposal. These items will cake inside your disposal and lead to contact with other items. Also, coffee grinds contain oils that can turn rancid and cause a bad smell.
- Do not put your hand down on the garbage disposal. This is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury.
- Do not turn on the garbage disposal without first adding water. Otherwise, you are running the risk of having something get stuck in there and causing a clog.
- Do not use a chemical drain cleaner on your garbage disposal. These chemicals are harmful to both you and the environment.
Garbage Disposal Don’ts
- Don’t place your hand near the grinding compartment. If disposal fails to operate and you need to put your hand into the area where food is ground, make sure the power is turned off first.
- Don’t pour liquid grease down the drain. Pour grease into an old can or jar to allow it to harden, then throw it in the garbage.
- Don’t grind bones or fibrous foods. These items can jam and damage garbage disposal.
- Don’t press the reset button if your disposal doesn’t work. If pressing the reset button on your unit doesn’t get it working again, call a plumber because there’s probably an electrical problem that needs professional attention.
- Don’t use chemical drain cleaners on garbage disposals. Drain cleaners are supposed to eat away at clogs. Still, they may also destroy garbage disposals by eating away at its internal elements and causing them to become damaged beyond repair, necessitating the replacement of the entire device!
How To Empty Your Garbage Disposal
Depending on the issue, there are three methods for emptying your garbage disposal or resolving a garbage disposal jam:
Check for clogs and clear them out.
If you feel your garbage disposal is clogged, there are some simple fixes you can try. Then remove the blockage with pliers or kitchen tongs, never your hands.
Drain the drainpipe.
Unclog the drainpipe, and the garbage disposal will lead to an unclogged sink. Unplug the disposal, fill the sink with water and a little dish detergent, then drain. The water pressure and gravity should help remove any tenacious trash that has become stuck in the pipe.
Make use of a plunger.
If a blockage is too deep to reach with tongs or pliers, use a toilet plunger to remove it. Then you can either take it out or let it fall.
Not to worry, though. If you follow our simple guidelines and don’t fall for any of these common traps, you’ll avoid any serious issues in the future! And if ever in doubt, give us Bueno Plumbing a call. Our team would be more than happy to take a look at your issue and offer the best solution for you.
