The garbage disposal is one of the most used appliances in your home. Charged with the task of macerating food particles so that they can safely pass through the plumbing pipes. A garbage disposal helps eliminate plumbing problems from clogs, however, a garbage disposal can only do so much. Improper use can lead to the break down in efficiency and effectiveness, which will ultimately lead to plumbing problems. Here are some tips to help you keep your garbage disposal happy.
Proper Operation
Running the garbage disposal seems easy enough, right? If food particles go down the drain, you turn it on, and a whirlwind removes the unwanted waste from your drain. It is pretty straight forward, however, there are good practices to keep in mind:
- Avoid overworking. If you are cooking a lot, then you will be cleaning a lot, be sure to run your garbage disposal frequently to avoid overloading it.
- Always operate your garbage disposal with running water. This help moves debris out of the garbage disposal and helps prevent your garbage disposal’s motor from burning up.
- Clean your garbage disposal. Over time gunk and debris can build up inside your garbage disposal. Regular can help alleviate this. A mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar will help clean your garbage disposal. You can also use ice cubes to knock debris off blades, and lemon peel to help deodorize.
Things to Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their garbage disposal is not watching what they put down the garbage disposal. The name garbage disposal is a little misleading, in that naturally, you would think that you could put anything down it. However, this couldn’t be further from the case. Not watching what goes down the garbage disposal can cause all kinds of plumbing problems, not to mention cause damage. Here are some things to never put down the drain:
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables ie: potato peels and corn husks
- Large pieces of food
- Bones
- Grease
- Trash: paper, glass, plastic
- Chemicals
- Building materials
By simply watching what goes down the drain, you can prevent a lot of plumbing problems. For more plumbing tips click here.
