Waste disposals (aka garbage disposals), are a fundamental part of your kitchen’s plumbing system. It’s not uncommon for individuals to just put their food waste down the sink and flush it down the drain. But if you do this, all that food waste can block your pipes, causing backups and other issues. This is where waste disposals come in. Waste disposals are designed specifically to grind up food waste so it can safely pass through your pipes. If you have any problems with yours, it’s best to call a plumber.
Do all Garbage Disposals fit all Sinks
The truth is no. Trash disposals are available in different sizes, so if you have a little sink, you might need to have a smaller model than if you have a large sink. Nevertheless, there are some universal models that can be installed on any sink. If your sink is larger than the disposal’s opening, you may need to have your plumber install an adapter or add a second drain.
How does a Waste Disposal Work
A trash disposal is an electrically powered device with sharp blades that shred food waste into small particles that can go through plumbing systems. It’s really pretty straightforward: Water from your sink flows down the drain and into the trash disposal. When you turn on a switch, the blades spin around at about 2800 RPMs (revolutions per minute), slicing up whatever you’ve put down the drain. The spinning blades also help to push waste through pipes and back into the sewer system.
You ought to run your garbage disposal for about 10 seconds every time you use it before flushing liquids or grinding food with it. This allows you to ensure that the blades are spinning freely and that there isn’t anything stuck in them. If there is a problem with your garbage disposal, this will help you to find out sooner rather than later.
What Shouldn’t You Put in a Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are excellent for getting rid of unwanted food scraps and other things you can’t put down the drain. However not everything you put down the disposal is safe for it. According to Consumer Reports there are some things you will want to avoid putting in there.
Here’s a list of the things you should never ever put in your waste disposal:
- Fats, oils and grease: Fats, oils and grease will congest your pipes and your waste disposal. They cause bad odors and can make your sink overflow.
- Pasta: Pasta tends to swell up when it gets wet, which indicates it might get stuck in the drain or clog up your pipes.
- Stringy veggies: Celery, artichokes, asparagus stalks and corn husks can wrap around the blades of your trash disposal and get caught in the drain pipe.
- Rice: Rice is another food that has a tendency to swell when wet, so throw it away instead of putting it down your drain!
- Little bits of glass or metal: Even little pieces can damage the blades of your disposal and cause water leaks. Always rinse out any food debris before putting it down a disposal as these particles can wear down the metal parts with time and create rust around them which will clog up the drain hole beneath your sink if left unchecked.
How to Clean Your Waste Disposal
Once you’ve got a garbage disposal and you’re using it regularly, you’ll want to keep it in good working order. Keeping up with routine cleaning will help keep your waste disposal running smoothly. This will also help prevent odors and leaks, and lower the chance that the blades will get damaged.
Here are 5 ways to keep your garbage disposal clean and running smoothly:
- Use baking soda and vinegar
- Run ice through a cold cycle
- Put salt down the drain
- Use an enzyme cleaner
- Dispose of citrus rinds in the sink
When to Call a Plumber Near Me in Broken Arrow, OK.
Waste disposals are a great convenience. They enable us to quickly and effortlessly dispose of food scraps and other items that we do not want in the trash. However they can also be a source of aggravation when they get clogged or damaged.
If your waste disposal is making odd noises or is having difficulty breaking down food waste then there is likely an issue with either the blades or the motor itself. Let the plumbers at Mullin Plumbing, Inc. help! Call (918) 209-3133 for garbage disposal installation, repair, and maintenance. We also offer 24 hour emergency plumbing in Broken Arrow, OK. and surrounding counties. We are here when you need us.
Keep Your Drains Clean With These 5 Tips