Garbage disposals are staple appliances for many households, ranking alongside dishwashers and refrigerators as essential features in their list of must-have appliances. Unfortunately, like any appliance, they do have their lifespan and must eventually be repaired or replaced at some point in their service lives.
Homeowners can extend the lifespan of their garbage disposal by only placing food waste that it can safely digest, such as eggshell membranes and starchy vegetables, into it. Doing this will prevent serious clogs or blade breakages caused by foods like this.
Visit https://www.fullspeedplumbing.com/services/garbage-disposals/ for advice on extending the life of your trash disposal and professional repair or replacement services to guarantee it remains a necessary and hassle-free item in your house!
How to get the most out of your garbage disposal
Maintaining and operating your disposal will extend its lifespan, but eventually, it may clog or wear out – in which case, manufacturer warranties may cover replacement unit costs; homeowners are still responsible for installation. Therefore, doing whatever is possible to maximize its lifespan – running it regularly with cold water only is key for maximizing its longevity.
Experts agree that FOG poses the greatest threat to garbage disposals, which liquefy in hot water but solidify and clog drain pipes when left alone. Therefore, experts advise storing cooking oil in disposable bottles instead of pouring it directly down your drain.
Eggshells and coffee grounds can cause serious blockages to your pipes, even though these items initially appear small. As they build up over time, they form a sticky substance that quickly forms clogs that prevent you from properly accessing your blades.
Make sure that your garbage disposal serves its intended purpose rather than becoming an informal trash can. Broken glass, paper towels, produce stickers, and photos of an ex should go directly into the trash rather than your disposal.
Regularly cleaning your disposal is key to avoiding the build-up of gunk and grime; one method involves adding two cups of ice cubes, one tablespoon of baking soda, and some slices of lemon into it before running cold water through for one minute before draining and rinsing your disposal system afterward.
Keeping your garbage disposal clean
Garbage disposals take a beating each day to process food waste and ice, yet they can last eight to 15 years with appropriate care and upkeep.
To clean the internal surfaces of your disposal, mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda once a month. Start by adding around a half cup of baking soda (while it is switched off) and then a single cup of white or apple cider vinegar to the unit. Once the bubbling has calmed, rinse it out with cold water;
This should take five to ten minutes at most! Make this part of your regular maintenance schedule to keep it looking its best while working optimally!
Avoid placing hard, fibrous, or starchy food items into your disposal, as these will damage its blades and even the motor.
Never place your hand or fingers into the disposal, as this could damage its blades and cost extra to fix or replace. Instead, run hot water down it every couple of weeks to loosen and wash away the interior crud.
Lemon oil drops can also help deodorize it further, or use non-toxic products such as Lemi Shine that dissolve in less than two minutes – both options provide safe solutions!
Avoiding garbage disposal clogs
Garbage disposals take an extreme beating daily by processing food scraps and ice, so they must receive proper care from their families. Doing this means using their disposal correctly while avoiding pouring foods that could damage it to maximize its life expectancy.
Throwing grease-laden, fibrous or stringy food down the disposal can result in clogs that strain and wear down its motor and blades, as well as solidifying in drains and pipes and restricting waste flow into sewage systems.
Running too little water through your disposal while it operates can also clog it. Your disposal requires a steady flow of cold water to flush away all the food that it grinds; additionally, placing too thick or heavy food items can also contribute to its clogging.
Avoiding garbage disposal damage
For optimal use of your garbage disposal, avoid feeding questionable foods and maintaining it on an ongoing basis. This can extend its lifespan and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Though garbage disposal can easily manage food scraps, some items can prove too tough for it to chew through and lead to serious complications in the long run. Other common culprits include seeds, pits, and old nuts; while your disposal might grind these up finely, throwing them out or adding them directly into a compost bin would probably be wiser.
Fibrous foods may present problems because their fibers will wrap around and stop spinning blades, potentially resulting in motor seizing and pipe blockages.
Before turning on your disposal, it must be off. Running it could waste energy and wear down its motor. Once used, pour a cup full of cold water through it after each use – cold water keeps grease solid so that it can easily be broken down and flushed away rather than flowing back into pipes later.
Also, if your disposal features a red reset button, press it if the motor overheats; should this occur, contact a professional as soon as possible for repairs.