Plumbing Tips to Avoid Garbage Disposal Problems
Garbage disposals are extremely convenient appliances, making post-dinner clean-up a breeze for homeowners. But, like any appliance, they require a little TLC to function properly.
Plumbers in Apple Valley, MN, want to empower homeowners to keep garbage disposals running smoothly and avoid clogs and unpleasant odors. Learn what foods can go down the disposal, why running cold water is essential, and how to limit the amount of food put down the disposal.
Avoid Putting Risky Foods Down the Garbage Disposal
To keep garbage disposals working properly, it’s all about what households put down the drain. Garbage disposals are designed to handle certain food scraps, but some things just don't belong. By following these simple do's and don'ts, homeowners can keep their disposal happy and their kitchen smelling fresh:
- Foods homeowners can put down the disposal: Here are some food scraps that get the green light for disposal—soft fruit and vegetable scraps, cooked meat, and citrus fruit rinds.
- Foods households shouldn’t put down the disposal: Certain foods can wreak havoc on the disposal and should be thrown in the trash – grease, fats and oils, bones, fruit pits, peels of certain fruits (like banana peels), fibrous vegetables (celery), starchy vegetables (potato peels), nutshells, and anything non-food related.
Run Cold Water to Avoid Clogs
Homeowners should always run cold water while using their garbage disposal. This hack helps flush food scraps down the drain, preventing them from getting stuck and keeping garbage disposals clean.
Cold water can also prevent the system from overheating. Food scraps can be baked onto the blades if units get too hot while running. This will cause the garbage disposal to malfunction and emit foul odors in the household.
Plumbers also recommend that homeowners put ice cubes down the disposal. This might seem odd, but it can remove food particles and sharpen the blades.
Prevent Putting Too Much Food Down the Disposal
Homeowners must limit the amount of food they put down the garbage disposal at once to prevent clogs and blockages.
To prevent this, homeowners should chop up larger pieces of food. Cutting them into smaller pieces before sending them down the disposal can make it easier for the blades to grind them up effectively.
If homeowners are looking for a natural way to freshen their disposal, grinding lemon or orange peels occasionally helps eliminate any lingering odors.
When garbage disposals clog or malfunction or start to make garbage disposal humming sounds, homeowners should first try using the garbage disposal reset button. If this doesn’t work, they should then call for repairs.
About Apple Valley Plumbing Company
Since 2013, Apple Valley Plumbing Company has offered quality plumbing services in Apple Valley, MN, and surrounding areas. What sets them apart is that they offer upfront pricing, same-day and on-time services, and treat their clients' homes like their own. Call Apple Valley, MN's experts for garbage disposal services today!
