Are you experiencing some issues with your garbage disposal unit? Perhaps you don’t have a garbage disposal, but wish to learn some benefits of having one installed? Either way, you are in the right spot for getting the help you are looking for. Continue below to review the answers to the most frequently asked questions about garbage disposals.
What Can Go Down the Garbage Disposal?
The only foods that should be shredded in your disposal should be soft, non-fibrous, chopped, liquid, and similar foods in small amounts. The key word here is “small amounts.” Things that should NEVER go down the disposal include fatty oils, starches, fibrous waste, fruit and vegetable pits, coffee grounds, and paper trash.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell?
Food and bacteria residues are a top cause of garbage disposal odors. To abate lingering odors, it is important to clean your disposal regularly. On a routine basis, grind some ice cubes while running cold water for a minute. This will keep the blades fresh and sharp. You can also grind citrus rinds for a fresh scent. Also, while the disposal is running, pour some liquid dish detergent inside the drain to eliminate bacteria and other contaminants. Finish by running cold water down the drain for a couple of minutes. It is recommended to clean your garbage disposal every few weeks, and more often for those who use it frequently.
Do I Need a Garbage Disposal Unit in My House?
The primary benefit of having a garbage disposal unit is the convenience it provides. Food preparation, trash disposal, rodent and pest control, and efficiency, are just a few ways garbage disposals provide convenience around the house. Not only do garbage disposals provide convenience, they also provide investment protection, which ultimately saves homeowners money. By reducing the likelihood of clogging up drains and pipes, homeowners save money by avoiding costly repairs, services, and replacements. This also protects the structural integrity of plumbing pipes, keeping them functional for years to come.
How Does a Garbage Disposal Help With Pest Control?
It may not be obvious at first, but a garbage disposal is an excellent contributor to pest control, more so in commercial kitchens. In areas where extensive food preparation takes place, such as a restaurant or school cafeteria, large amounts of food scraps are produced. And large amounts of food scraps just sitting around can attract rodents’ other pests, like fruit flies, gnats, ants, and other insects. A garbage disposal allows kitchens to efficiently discard food scraps, and keep a cleaner workspace.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Leak?
The top two causes for garbage disposal leaks are a leaky gasket or a leaky flange. When a rubber gasket gets old, or goes unused for a long period of time, it can dry up and develop a crack, which in turn leads to a leak in the gasket. It can also be caused by improper installation. If the leak is coming from the top rim where the seal mounts to the flange, it could be caused by a leaky gasket. A disposal flange can develop a leak if the plumbers’ putty dries up, or if the bolts that connect the flange to the sink comes loose. If the leak is coming from the very upper portion of the unit, it could be a flange leak.
What Kind of Maintenance Does a Garbage Disposal Require?
It is important to regularly clean out the grind chamber of your garbage disposal. You can do this safely and effectively by dropping in a few ice cubes, then grinding them up until they are gone. Do not put lemon rinds or fruit in your disposal to make it smell better. Instead, try a few drops of some lemon or citrus-scented essential oil. Other than regular cleaning, it is wise to have your unit inspected by a licensed Indianapolis plumber. This will help maintain optimal efficiency and safety, as well as, catch small problems early on, before than can become disastrous or costly.
Residential and Commercial Kitchen Plumbing Services You Can Trust
Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need kitchen plumbing repair and service in Indianapolis at an affordable price. We provide garbage disposal replacement and carry a line of top-quality In Sink Erator®(ISE) Garbage Disposals at market low prices. Our licensed plumbers also offer a wide range of other plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties, as well as, free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances. Request a free estimate, today.
