Day after day, perhaps more often than any other appliance, garbage disposals bring convenience and practicality to your home. Garbage disposals are self-cleaning and virtually maintenance free, if used correctly. However, a malfunctioning garbage disposal usually means a messy clogged kitchen sink, but one that can be avoided. If you are considering a replacement garbage disposal. View our product section to choose which garbage disposals model is best for you.
Garbage Disposal Repairs
Here’s a few tips to keep your Garbage Disposal in good working order.
When using your garbage disposal always run cold water when grinding in order to move the waste all the way through the sewer drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water which can then be flushed through the sewer drain system. Don’t use hot water when grinding because it can dissolve fats and grease, which then accumulate in the sewer drain line, this is especially evident in apartment buildings, the built up grease can restrict the internal diameter of the sewer drain pipe and eventually clog it completely. Almost all biodegradable food waste can be fed into garbage disposal. However, do not throw down the garbage disposal corn husks, celery or other material with a high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a garbage disposal. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil these are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken garbage disposals.
Maintenance is easy for garbage disposals. Grinding a little ice, can clean out deposits and get rid of odors.
Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
Mold and bacteria can grow in your kitchen garbage disposal and create unpleasant odors, as well as unhealthy spores.
The odors may not be noticeable, but over time without proper cleaning, the odors can become stronger as the mold and bacteria grow. If you clean your garbage disposal once a week it will help reduce unpleasant mold and bacteria.
Garbage Disposal Cleaning Method A:
With the use of BIO-CLEAN drain enzyme. Mix one scoop in the supplied mixing cup with warm water and pour into the garbage disposal and allow to sit over night. BIO-CLEAN is available for purchase in our product section.
Garbage Disposal Cleaning Method B:
Plug the sink and approximately 1.5 gal of water, add one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach to the water. Using gloves remove the stopper and allow the water to drain.
Freshening the Garbage Disposal
The methods above maintaining a clean garbage disposal it will help to keep it smelling fresh and odor free. Additionally, you can encourage this by grinding ice cubes in the garbage disposal to clean the cutting blades. Simply place several cubes in the drain and grind.
For a little bit of scent to the area, you can add rinds from any of the citrus fruits in the garbage disposal with the ice cubes.
*NOTE The connection of a dishwasher to a garbage disposal is a state of Illinois plumbing code violation.
