Garbage disposals get a work out in most homes. Although they are meant to grind up food so it can be safely disposed of through your waste system, often they are not used properly or used to dispose of foods they cannot handle. Clogs and damage to the unit can happen, resulting in repair or replacement of the device.
Preventing Clogs
The most common issue with garbage disposals is clogs. This usually happens for two reasons. Either the wrong foods are being put into the disposal or there is not enough water added to flush the system. Some easy ways to avoid clogs are:
No peels. Potato and banana peels often are behind many clogs. These peels can create a mushy, stringy paste that can clog the disposal. Do not put these peels in your disposal, throw them in the garbage or into your compost pile.
Coffee grounds. Probably one of the most common issues are coffee grounds. These granules stick inside the pipes and can quickly cause a clog. If there are grounds in the bottom of a cup or pot, wipe it out and throw the grounds away.
Egg shells. These have a similar effect to coffee grounds. The hard, small pieces get hung up in slug in your pipes and can easily clog the drain.
Flushing. Your disposal needs water to flush the food debris through. Run water while grinding and then for about 30 seconds afterwards to flush out debris.
If your disposal is not used properly, it will most likely end up burning itself out or become clogged. If this happens, a plumber can remove the clog, or if needed, repair or replace the unit.
