Garbage disposals provide a convenient cleanup option for your kitchen scraps. But like any other device, they require proper maintenance. Below are a few tips from expert plumbers on how to extend their usefulness and longevity.

How to Use a Garbage Disposal

1. Watch What You Send Down It

While garbage disposals can absorb a lot of waste, some food leftovers have the potential to cause dangerous clogs. Never, for example, pour grease into your system, since it can harden on the way down and form a blockage. Similarly, be wary of tossing starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, and rice down its maw. These items can expand on contact with water and will eventually require professional drain cleaning from a plumber. Other foods to avoid include fibrous veggies like celery, animal bones, or eggshells.

2. Clean Regularly

Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for how to properly clean out your unit. This especially includes any warnings about pouring bleach or drain cleaning liquids down it. Instead, use salt with cold water or baking soda and vinegar. To freshen the scent, grind up lemon or other citrus peels.

3. Grind at the Right Temperature

Always grind with cold water, especially if the items are greasy. Hot water will make clogs form more rapidly since it melts particles and makes it easier for them to stick to blades, which will make a call to your local plumber a necessity. Cold water keeps the food in manageable chunks that are easier to grind.

4. Do It in the Right Order

Run cool water before turning on the garbage disposal. Once the device is on, place food particles inside, gradually adding waste as it churns everything up. After the food is broken down, turn off the disposal and let the cool water run again to clean out the pipes.

5. Turn It on Regularly

Make sure you use your disposal every few days to keep internal parts moving. This reduces rusting and corrosion as well as keeps the components from freezing up when you need them most. Even if you aren’t grinding up food, run the system with cool water.

When you need an expert plumber for help with your garbage disposal and other residential plumbing necessities, trust Holmes Sewer & Drain. Located in Lincoln, NE, these licensed and insured contractors bring more than 30 years of experience to every job. Besides clogged drains, they are also available for water heater services and sewer cleaning. Call (402) 432-6312 for an appointment or visit their website to fill out their convenient contact form.