3 Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips


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There are many conveniences to having a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen sink, but it is important that you are proactive to maintain the disposal to prevent problems. If you aren’t familiar with the proper care of your garbage disposal, then here are a few things that you need to know:

1. Items that Shouldn’t Go Down the DisposalPlumber fixing a garbage disposal

Even though the disposal might seem powerful, it is important that you are careful about the items that are put down the disposal. Some food items need to be thrown in the garbage instead of being put in the disposal. For example, don’t put egg shells, starchy foods, animal bones, or fibrous/stringy foods down the disposal. If you push these types of foods down the sink, then it is possible that the disposal might clog.

2. What to do if the Disposal is Clogged?

If something happens and the disposal clogs, then there are a few things that you can do to unclog it. First, make sure that the disposal is off, to prevent injury. It is a good idea to reach under the sink and unplug the unit before making any adjustments. Then, you can reach your hand down into the disposal to pull out any items that are blocking it. In some cases, the best option is to call an experienced plumber to help.

3. Clean the Disposal

Sometimes, a disposal might start to smell funny. If you notice a foul smell, then put a few small lemon peels down the disposal and run warm water while it is on. You can also find disposal cleaning packets in the cleaning aisle at the grocery store that can be used to freshen the disposal. Be careful about using harsh chemical cleaners, because you might accidentally wear down the parts or break the disposal if you use the wrong types of cleaners.

If you are having disposal problems, then one of the best things that you can do is call an experienced plumber to help. Contact Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning for details about disposal service and any other type of plumbing services that you might need. We are here to help: (951) 375-6856