The garbage disposal in your kitchen works great, that is, until it doesn’t. And garbage disposal problems are never fun because they usually involve bad odors and drain clogs. The good news is, you can avoid garbage disposal problems altogether by taking better care of your garbage disposal to begin with.
If you have a kitchen garbage disposal in Colchester, VT, we have three tips that can help you avoid problems. Following these tips can also extend the life of your garbage disposal so that it will last longer before you need a replacement.
Tip 1: Use Your Disposal Sparingly
Many homeowners think that because they have a garbage disposal, they can put almost anything down the drain. Unfortunately, this is not true. There are a lot of food items that can damage your garbage disposal. Examples of items that you do not want to let go down your drain include:
- Fruit and vegetable skins such as banana peels, corn husks, and potato scraps
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- All fats and oils
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables such as celery and broccoli
- Bones
Your garbage disposal is not meant to be a trash can. Instead, it’s a backup to keep inevitable food debris from messing up the rest of your kitchen plumbing.
Tip 2: Avoid Harsh Chemicals
You may be tempted to stop at your local hardware store and pick up a drain cleaning chemical to bust up any clogs. However, these chemicals can do a lot of damage to your garbage disposal and the rest of your plumbing. They’re designed to break up really tough clogs, which is a huge benefit, but the downside is that they are abrasive enough to also damage your plumbing fixtures.
If you have persistent clogs in your garbage disposal, you need to call for professional service instead of relying on caustic chemicals. In fact, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional garbage disposal cleaning every 1-2 years to help clear out any debris before it becomes a major problem.
Tip 3: Clean Regularly
You already know that the things you take care of the best will last the longest. This extends to your garbage disposal too. When you clean your garbage disposal regularly, you can easily avoid clogs, bad smells, and other garbage disposal problems. As we already mentioned above, you want to avoid harsh chemicals.
You can clean your disposal using vinegar and baking soda, dish soap, and even a handful of ice cubes. Vinegar and baking soda will work together to break up any tough buildup. Dish soap will help to kill any germs that are growing inside your garbage disposal. Running your garbage disposal with a handful of ice cubes is a great way to break up tougher debris and buildup that is left behind after cleaning with vinegar and baking soda or dish soap.
Red Rock Mechanical, LLC serves Northwest Vermont and Northeast New York. Schedule an appointment for garbage disposal service with us today.
