If you are like most people, you don’t give much thought to your garbage disposal. You flip on the switch when you finish doing the dishes, let it do its job on the food particles, and then flip it off again. This can go on for years without any problems – or you could flip that switch tomorrow and hear a horrible noise, or worse, no noise at all. Just like any appliance, your garbage disposal does need care and maintenance to keep it working properly.
First, make sure you and all your family are using the garbage disposal correctly. Never put anything down the drain that is not biodegradable; also avoid hard or fibrous food items like egg shells or peelings. Before you use the disposal, run cold water for a few seconds before you flip the switch. Then let it grind the food with the water still running. Once it you hear the chopping stop, flip off the disposal and let the water flush any remains down the drain.
To keep your disposal clean and odor free, run hot, soapy water down the drain once a day. A weekly cleaning can also be done. One method is to freeze vinegar or lemon juice in ice cube trays. Grind these through your disposal to remove any food particles and to disinfect for odor control.
Even with good care, your garbage disposal can jam, become clogged or need replacement. When this happens, call in a plumber to handle the repair. Since your disposal is connected to your plumbing, you want to ensure the job is done right the first time and without any damage to your vital kitchen sink.
Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283
