Top Tips for Garbage Disposal Maintenance

Posted on October 7, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

A garbage disposal is a kitchen appliance that many homeowners find extremely useful. It helps to reduce the amount of food waste that goes into the trash, making it a more environmentally-friendly option. Additionally, it can help to keep your kitchen cleaner by preventing food scraps from sitting in the sink or on countertops. And, if you have a busy household, a garbage disposal can make mealtime cleanup much easier. Overall, a garbage disposal is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner who wants to reduce their environmental impact and make their life a little easier.

But in order to reap all the benefits that your garbage disposal has to offer, you must take good care of it. Continue below to learn some top tips for garbage disposal maintenance and care.

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Recommended Garbage Disposal Maintenance

If you have a garbage disposal in your home, it’s important to take good care of it. Here are some tips for how to keep your disposal running smoothly:

Run cold water while the disposal is in use. This will help keep things moving through the blades and prevent clogs.

Don’t pour grease or oil down the drain. These can solidify and cause clogs.

Avoid putting hard or fibrous foods like celery, banana peels, or corn husks down the disposal. These can damage the blades.

Run the disposal regularly, even if you don’t think there’s anything in it. This will help keep things moving and prevent rust.

If something does get stuck in the disposal, don’t reach in with your hands to try to remove it. Use a plunger or pliers instead.

By following these tips, you can help keep your garbage disposal running smoothly for years to come.

Garbage Disposal Repair

If your garbage disposal starts making strange noises, doesn’t work as well as it used to, or has stopped working entirely, it may be time for a repair. Below are some common signs that indicate a need for garbage disposal repair:

Strange Noises – If your garbage disposal starts making grinding, humming, or whistling noises, it may be an indication that the blades are dull, or something is caught in the disposal.

Decreased Performance – If your garbage disposal isn’t working as well as it used to, it may need to be repaired.

Stopped Working Entirely – If your garbage disposal has stopped working altogether, it will need to be repaired or replaced.

Burning Smell – A burning smell might indicate metal-on-metal friction when something is stuck in the blades or motor.

Is your garbage disposal giving you grief? Act now before the problem worsens. Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured garbage disposal repair in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its surrounding counties. Our plumbers also provide garbage disposal replacement and carry a line of top-quality In Sink Erator®(ISE) Garbage Disposals at market low prices.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a New Garbage Disposal

Posted on October 27, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

When you are moving into a new house or confronted with garbage disposal replacement, there are some things you need to know before buying a new unit and having it installed. Continue below to learn some garbage disposal buying facts that can save you from wasted time, money, and possibly municipal penalties.

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How to Buy a New Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are designed to last for 8 to 15 years. Whether your house was built decades ago and it’s time for a new disposal, you are moving into a new residence that is not yet equipped with a disposal, or your current unit broke down and you need to replace it with a new one, there are some things you need to know before hitting the market.

Check With the Local Building Authority

Your first point of duty is to check in with the local building authority to make sure your town permits garbage disposals. That’s right; not all metropolises allow residents to have garbage disposals because the municipal sewage system is not equipped to handle the volume of waste that generally passes through garbage disposals.

If you have a garbage disposal installed under the table, you could face certain local and state penalties, such as fines and restitution orders.

Think About the Regularity of Pipe and Drain Clogs

Does your home experience pipe and drain clogs on a regular basis or more frequently than normal? If so, your residence may not be compatible for garbage disposal installation. That doesn’t mean you cannot move forward with installing one; it simply means that a garbage disposal may cause more problems for your plumbing pipes and septic system than it would do good.

Think About Your Septic System

Food particles that pass through garbage disposal systems breakdown much slower, and therefore are prone to accumulating in the septic tank. This can clog up the septic system, causing a whole heap of damages to the interior and exterior of your property. So, be sure to first think about your septic system before buying a new garbage disposal. Contact the Indianapolis plumber who installed your septic system, or who pumps it, and ask them if it is compatible with a garbage disposal.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for a New Garbage Disposal

If your home, municipality, and septic system are all on board for a new garbage disposal, then you can start looking for a model that meets your needs. Here are some top factors to consider when you are looking for a new garbage disposal system:

Plumbing Compatibility

Noise Level

Horsepower

Size

Grinding Chamber Material

Direct-Wired or Plug-In

Batch Feed or Continuous Batch

Quick-Mounting System

Turn-And-Lock System

Recommended Features:

Anti-Jamming

Anti-Splash

Corrosion Protection

Quiet Noise Level

Garbage Disposal Costs

Garbage disposal systems can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to an upwards of $1,500. In addition to purchasing a new unit, you will also have to pay for installation, which generally costs between $300 and $500 depending on the size and complexity. Installation takes one to two hours on average.

Are you looking for garbage disposal installation or repair? Perhaps you are tired of dealing with clogged drains all the time? Is your septic tank on the fritz? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for residential and commercial plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We can help with all of this and more!

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How to Treat Garbage Disposal Odors

Posted on November 6, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

One of the most powerful and important machines in your kitchen is the garbage disposal unit. Not only does it help prevent plumbing clogs and backups, it helps to keep your kitchen clean. But sometimes, sink drains can start to smell funny, or produce a foul odor that seeps into the other areas of your home. And quite often, the root of the problem is a dirty garbage disposal. Continue reading to learn how to maintain a fresh garbage disposal, and how to treat a smelly one.

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Garbage Disposal Care

Since the garbage disposal is one of your most valued kitchen appliances, you want to be sure you take great care of it at all times. This means minding what you put down it so that it does not clog or malfunction, as well as, ensuring it is cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. Failing to meet these requirements can lead to a smelly garbage disposal unit, or worse, costly plumbing repairs and replacements.

Odor Control

If your garbage disposal is giving off an offensive smell, you can use some common items found around the house or at your local department store. First, you will need to sanitize, and then you will need to refresh. Start by using distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Pour a cup of baking soda down your drain, and follow it with one fourth a cup of vinegar. Finish by rinsing with hot water for a few minutes while switching your disposal on and off throughout. To refresh your disposal, you can use citrus rinds from oranges, limes, or lemons. Simply place one cup of rinds into the disposal and grind them down for a minute. Then continue grinding them down with running water. The oils of the rinds will stick to the blades and provide an organic freshener for your drain.

Odor Prevention

If you want to maintain a fresh-smelling garbage disposal, you will need to refrain from putting certain food items down the unit. Avoid putting rotten or spoiled foods in the garbage disposal, as well as, anything that can rot, such as raw meat or fish. Furthermore, avoid putting anything else down the drain that has a bad odor. Then be sure to sanitize and refresh with citrus rinds on a monthly basis.

Garbage Disposal Malfunctions

If your garbage disposal is clogged or making strange noises, you will need to contact an Indianapolis plumber for professional assistance. They have the tools and knowledge to inspect and service your garbage disposal unit, safely and efficiently. Accordingly, if the wiring for your garbage disposal unit is exposed to water, you will need to refrain from touching it and contact a professional right away. This is especially time sensitive if you see smoke coming from the unit.

Indianapolis Garbage Disposal Installation and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis garbage disposal repair you can trust. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, provides residential and commercial plumbing repair at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate, today.

Garbage Disposal Plumbing Tips

Posted on September 13, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Garbage Disposal Repair 317-784-1870

Plumbers know that garbage disposals are among the most misused appliances in households. That is because many homeowners do not recognize that garbage disposals are not meant to be used as blenders for large deposits of food. Instead, they are designed to grind leftover food residues that are rinsed from plates. Anything more substantial than that, other than the occasional ice-cube cleanse, is not meant for residential garbage disposal systems.

Disposing of large quantities of food will result in a call to your local plumbing company for garbage disposal repair. It is the most common reason why disposal systems clog or breakdown. To prevent garbage disposal problems, continue reading for some helpful usage, cleaning, and maintenance tips.

Simple Garbage Disposal Fixes

Sometimes, when your garbage disposal is whirring but just not working, it may be something that can be easily resolved on your own. First, press the “reset” button located on the bottom of the disposal underneath your sink. If this doesn’t help, turn the power OFF to your garbage disposal and grab a flashlight. Peer into the drain and look for any solid objects, such as twisty-ties, bottle caps, or anything else that could be holding up your system.

If you do see something, carefully pull it out with a pair of pliers or some type of grasping tool. Never put your hands in the disposal! And if you use pliers, be careful not to damage the blades or other inner components of your garbage disposal. Your garbage disposal may also come with a hex-jam key, which is a tool used to unclog or un-jam the system. These keys are usually taped to the bottom of the disposal, next to the opening where it is inserted. Simply insert the key and wiggle it around a few times to release any blockages.

Garbage Disposal Odor Elimination

For garbage disposal odors, there are a few simple tricks to try out. On a routine basis, it is important to clean your disposal to eliminate food and bacteria residues. 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.

Professional Plumbing Service

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional and affordable garbage disposal repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed plumbers, have decades of experience in the plumbing industry, and can repair a garbage disposal in no time at all! Our family owned and operated business have served Hoosiers for over 100 years, so there is no better choice for dependable plumbing service in town. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including water heaters, water softeners, water purification, and more. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis garbage disposal repair, today.