Garbage disposals can be a convenient kitchen feature. These devices can shred certain types of food waste into tiny pieces to avoid clogging your pipes. With that in mind, using them incorrectly can lead to issues that will warrant plumbing repairs. Here’s what you can do to maintain your garbage disposal, and just as importantly, what to avoid.

Do:

Clean it regularly.

Cleaning your garbage disposal weekly will keep it working well. It can also help to eliminate odors from tiny bits of food that could otherwise get stuck in the blades. To clean your disposal, simply run water and a small amount of dish detergent down the drain. Allow the water to run for about a minute so it circulates through the device. Avoid using harsh chemicals, since they could cause the blades and plumbing pipes to corrode.

Use the garbage for most food waste.

While garbage disposals are well-suited for grinding up small bits of leftover food, they’re not meant to process large volumes of scraps all at once. For this reason, you should continue using the trash can as your primary mode of disposal after meals. Doing so helps to prevent major clogs, which could otherwise lead to plumbing repairs.

Don’t: 

Use it for starchy foods or fats. 

It’s not only the volume of food you’ll need to be careful with, but also the types of food you put in your garbage disposal. Stringy or fibrous foods like celery stalks, onion skins, corn husks, and potato peels can get tangled in the disposal blades. They can also jam the motor and cause clogged drains. Similarly, starchy materials like pasta can form a paste-like substance and create blockages. Fats, oils, and greases should also be avoided, as they can also congeal in pipes.

Run it with hot water.

Even if you’re careful not to pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain, some trace amounts could still wind up in your garbage disposal. Running the system with hot water would allow it to melt down, and then solidify in your pipes, potentially necessitating extensive plumbing repairs. Using cold water is a simple fix. Just be sure to use cool or cold water any time you’re running the appliance, and for about 15 seconds after the grinding is done. 

Whether you’re facing a garbage disposal issue or you have a different plumbing problem, turn to Joe Klosterman Plumbing for timely, efficient service. Located in Hooven, OH, this family-owned and operated team of licensed master plumbers has provided plumbing repairs and installations for the Greater Cincinnati community since 1983. See their full list of services online or call (513) 941-6766 to request an appointment.