A garbage disposal is a convenient sink attachment that collects and grinds food waste so that it can easily pass through your home's plumbing system. However, like any kitchen appliance, a disposal needs some routine care and upkeep to ensure it stays working its best and minimize the likelihood that you'll need to call a plumber for repairs. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your garbage disposal in good condition.

A Brief Guide to Garbage Disposal Maintenance

1. Clean Every Two Weeks

Cleaning the disposal about every two weeks will remove much of the caked-on food grime from the grinder parts. This is crucial to preventing clogs and backups, as well as a call to your plumber. Simply fill the disposal with ice cubes and a cup of rock salt and turn the unit on until it all runs through the system. Ice and salt are natural abrasives that scrub the grinder components clean. Follow this with a splash of vinegar and a hearty sprinkling of baking soda to kill any remaining bacteria and bad odors; wedges of citrus fruit like lemons or oranges also work well, but be sure to run water with them, so they break down easily.

2. Use Cold Water During Normal Usage

Many people think hot water is needed whenever you run a garbage disposal, but this can do more harm than good. Hot water tends to melt any fats inside the disposal, which increases the risk that the fats will adhere to and build up on the blades, rendering them less effective. Whenever you put something down the disposal, run cold water for 10 to 20 seconds to force as much waste as possible into the pipes and keep the unit well flushed.

3. Don't Put Just Anything Down a Disposal

Disposal blades are strong, but they are not invincible. Fibrous foods like celery, onion skins, and cornhusks can wrap around the blades and cause them to jam. Smaller, harder foods are difficult for the blades to grind, so they can pass through the disposal without being fully broken down, which can lead to a clog that only a plumber can repair; avoid putting bones, avocado pits, peach stones, and popcorn kernels into the unit.

If your garbage disposal breaks down, Plumb Doctor can help. Since 2010, their plumbers have been serving the Marietta and Roswell, GA, areas. In addition to disposal services, they provide drain repairs, toilet installations, hydrojetting, and other essential plumbing work. Call (770) 912-8922 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to browse their services.