Garbage disposals make working in the kitchen and keeping a sink drain clean much simpler. However, they only continue working well when you know how to maintain your equipment. Consider these suggestions on proper maintenance of your garage disposal.
Be Careful What Goes Into the Disposal
The first step to maintaining your disposal is to know how to use it correctly. Avoid putting in anything exceptionally hard, such as glass, metal, bones, or plastic. Be cautious of anything fibrous, like celery stalks or onion peels, which can jam the disposal. Also avoid anything starchy, such as potato peels and pasta, which may block the drain.
When putting things in your garbage disposal, break up large chunks to make them easier to grind. Whenever possible, dispose of grease another way to prevent buildup in your disposal and pipes.
Regularly Clean Your Disposal
One of the best things you can do to help maintain your disposal is to clean it regularly. Whenever you use it, put a drop of liquid dish soap in the equipment when you’re done. Follow that by running the water for 15 to 20 seconds to prevent odor buildup.
If it does start to smell, grind some citrus fruits to help neutralize the odors. The citric acid will also help eliminate the sources of the odors, further cleaning the area.
Don’t Forget to Sharpen the Blades
You may not realize it, but the blades in your garbage disposal need periodic sharpening. The easiest way to do this is to grind a few ice cubes about once a month. This process also helps to clean anything stuck to the sides of the disposal.
Use Caution When Retrieving Anything
If something slips down your disposal that shouldn’t go there, use extreme caution to prevent any injuries. First, unplug your disposal from the outlet if possible. If not, turn it off at the breaker to prevent any accidental activation. When you do attempt to retrieve the object, try using a pair of pliers or some tool other than your hand.
Dealing With Issues
If you have issues with your garbage disposal, there are two primary steps before calling a plumber. Start by checking the reset button on the bottom of the unit. If this is out, check that nothing has gone into the disposal that shouldn’t, and then press the button back in.
If that doesn’t work, try manually cranking the blades to see if you can break loose the jam. To accomplish this, simply use an Allen wrench in the slot in the bottom of the unit. Before doing this, double-check that there isn’t anything in the disposal that would cause the jam.
Don’t attempt to fix major garbage disposal problems on your own. If you’re located anywhere in the Waldorf area, call to schedule your garbage disposal service or installation with the expert plumbers at A Better Plumber Heating & Cooling today.
