Garbage disposals, or garburators, are incredibly helpful, but many people don’t realize they require proper care and use. This powerful device, typically located beneath your kitchen sink, grinds food waste into small particles that can be flushed down the drain. However, treating your garbage disposal like a catch-all for food and non-food waste is a recipe for disaster.
If you need to learn how to unclog a garbage disposal and search for Westminster plumbing services, Apple Plumbing, Heating & Air can take the lead. Our team of plumbing technicians are experts in the trade and all phases of the home system. We believe that by understanding the right way to use a garbage disposal and what to avoid, you can extend its life and ensure smooth, trouble-free operation.
What is a Garbage Disposal Used For?
A garbage disposal or garburator grinds food waste into tiny particles that can easily pass through the plumbing system and be disposed of with wastewater.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food constitutes the most significant percentage of materials sent to landfills, making up 24.1% of municipal solid waste. In landfills, where there’s no oxygen, bacteria decompose food and organic waste, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Installed beneath the kitchen sink, a garbage disposal provides a convenient way to manage leftover food scraps, helping reduce the amount of organic waste in landfills.
Consequences of Improperly Using Your Garbage Disposal
A clogged garbage disposal can have various consequences. Here are some reasons to avoid improperly using your sink garbage disposal.
Clogs and Drain Blockages
One of the most common problems caused by improper garbage disposal is clogging. Many people mistakenly assume that all food waste is suitable for disposal. Fibrous materials like celery or potato peels can wrap around the blades or build up in the pipes, leading to severe clogs. These materials do not break down easily and may create blockages that are difficult to remove without a plumber’s help.
It’s also equally important to remember that your toilet also plays a role in your home’s plumbing system. To keep your plumbing system running smoothly, ensure that only appropriate materials are flushed down the toilet. Avoid flushing items like paper towels, sanitary products, or wipes, which can exacerbate plumbing issues. Proper waste disposal helps prevent clogs in your garbage disposal and your entire plumbing system, ensuring everything functions efficiently.
Damage to the Disposal Blades
Another significant consequence of misuse is damage to the disposal blades. It’s important to know what not to put in the garbage disposal. Hard items like bones, fruit pits, or coffee grounds may seem small enough to grind down, but they can severely damage the disposal’s blades.
Over time, this wear and tear will reduce the unit’s grinding power and may cause it to stop working. If your blades become dull or damaged, you might need to replace the entire disposal unit.
Foul Odors and Bacterial Growth
Improper garbage disposal habits can also lead to unpleasant odors and bacterial growth. Food particles left unground or stuck in the pipes can begin to decompose, creating an unsanitary environment. This often leads to bad smells from your sink, and cleaning out the trapped particles can be difficult. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to the spread of bacteria in your kitchen.
Plumbing System Damage
Your garbage disposal is connected to your home’s plumbing system, and how you use it can directly impact your pipes. Flushing down food items like grease or fat might seem harmless, but these substances harden as they cool, sticking to your pipes and causing blockages.
If you suspect a blockage or damage, it’s crucial to contact good plumbers who can assess the issue and prevent further complications. Proper maintenance and timely professional help can save you from more extensive and expensive plumbing problems down the line.
Leaks and Water Damage
Improper use of your garbage disposal can also lead to leaks over time. Constantly overloading the unit, grinding hard items like bones, or not using enough water can strain the system, causing seals and joints to loosen, which may result in garbage disposal leaking. A leaking garbage disposal can cause water damage to your cabinets, flooring, or even the unit’s electrical components.
Persistent leaks might indicate deeper plumbing issues, and neglecting them could eventually require more significant repairs, such as a water main line replacement in some cases. If you notice signs of garbage disposal leaking, addressing the issue promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and avoid costly repairs.
Garbage Disposal Do’s
The best garbage disposal hacks involve proper knowledge of how to avoid clogs. Here are some garbage disposal do’s to keep in mind.
Run Cold Water When Using the Disposal
Always run cold water when operating your garbage disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease or fats that might be present in the waste, making it easier for the disposal to chop and grind the material, reducing the risk of a clogged garbage disposal. Cold water also helps keep the motor cool and flush the waste through your plumbing without sticking to the pipes.
Cut Large Items into Smaller Pieces
Before feeding large food scraps into garbage disposals, cut them into smaller pieces. Large items can overload the unit and cause it to jam or malfunction. By chopping the food into smaller bits, you reduce the strain on the disposal and prevent clogs or damage to the blades.
If your disposal becomes blocked, knowing how to unclog a garbage disposal properly is essential. For example, never use your hands to clear a jam. Instead, try resetting the unit or using a tool designed for safe unclogging.
Clean Your Disposal Regularly
Keeping your garbage disposal clean is essential for its long-term efficiency. Regular cleaning helps prevent food particles from building up, leading to unpleasant odors and reduced performance. Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal properly can make a big difference.
For deeper blockages or persistent odors, it might be necessary to consider professional drain cleaning with the help of our plumbing technicians. Our team of experts can ensure your pipes and disposal are thoroughly cleaned, preventing more significant issues like clogs or leaks down the road.
Use Biodegradable Waste Only
Garbage disposals are designed for biodegradable food waste only. You should only dispose of items that will break down easily in water, such as vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and small food remnants. Understanding what you can put down in garbage disposal helps prevent clogs and ensures the unit operates efficiently.
Non-biodegradable materials like plastic, metal, or glass can damage the disposal and block your pipes. Due to their toughness, some biodegradable items, like bones or corn husks, should be avoided.
Garbage Disposal Don’ts
Learning what not to put in the garbage disposal is a key component of keeping your sink garbage disposal unit running.
Don’t Pour Grease, Fat, or Oil
One of the worst things you can do to your garbage disposal is to pour grease, fat, or oil down the drain. These substances solidify as they cool, creating a sticky coating inside your pipes that can lead to a clogged garbage disposal. Over time, this buildup can cause blockages, making it difficult for your disposal to operate and potentially leading to more severe plumbing issues.
To keep your sink functional, always dispose of grease and oil in a separate container and throw it away in the trash. Proper disposal of these materials helps maintain your garbage disposal and overall plumbing system.
Don’t Dispose of Starchy or Fibrous Foods
Foods high in starch, such as potato skins, rice, or pasta, can be problematic for garbage disposal. When exposed to water, these foods expand and become gummy, leading to a clogged garbage disposal. Similarly, fibrous foods like corn husks, celery, and artichokes can wrap around the blades, causing jams and reducing the unit’s efficiency.
If you find yourself dealing with a clogged garbage disposal due to these types of foods, it’s essential to know how to unclog a garbage disposal properly. Avoiding these starchy and fibrous materials is the best way to prevent such issues and ensure your disposal operates smoothly.
Don’t Overload the Disposal
Another common mistake is overloading the garbage disposal with too much food at once. Trying to grind large amounts of food can overwhelm the unit and cause it to jam or stop working. Feed food scraps into the disposal gradually and avoid stuffing it with large quantities at a time.
If your garburator becomes overloaded and you need emergency repairs, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Plumbing, Heating & Air. We are committed to providing honest, respectful, and professional service. Our team is ready to promptly address your emergency repair needs, ensuring your disposal is back in working order with minimal disruption.
Don’t Turn Off the Water Too Quickly
Keeping the water running during and after grinding food waste is essential when using your garbage disposal. Turning off the water too quickly can cause food particles to clump together, potentially leading to clogs. The continuous flow helps flush the waste through the pipes and ensures that your disposal remains clear.
If you encounter persistent clogs or drainage issues, a video inspection of your plumbing system can help identify the problem. This advanced diagnostic tool allows our plumbing technicians to see inside your pipes and pinpoint any obstructions or damage, providing a more accurate solution for clearing and maintaining your disposal.
Conclusion
Using garbage disposals correctly can make all the difference in keeping them running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs. By following the do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you can extend the life of your unit, and your garbage disposal will continue to be a reliable kitchen companion for many years.
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