Need to Fix Garbage Disposal Issues? Try These Simple Tips

How to Prevent Garbage Disposal Problems

Homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their workload between work, activities, and running kids to various places. One major convenience they use in the kitchen is the garbage disposal. 

This appliance can be a big help—until it stops working. A garbage disposal malfunction can quickly lead to foul odors and backups.

In this post, plumbers in Denton, TX, explain how households can avoid garbage disposal problems. These include watching what types of food are put down the drain, running cold water while using the system, and limiting how much food is placed in the unit at once. 

Foods You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal

One of the most common reasons garbage disposals malfunction is because the wrong types of foods are put into the unit. This can wreck the blades and lead to clogs and other problems.

While various types of foods can cause issues, some of the worst types of foods to put down the disposal are fruit pits, bones, fibrous vegetables, and stringy foods. Soft food like coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, cooked pasta, fruit cores, grease, and oils should be avoided. These can cause coatings in the unit and lead to blockages.

Why You Should Run Cold Water Down the Garbage Disposal

A simple way for homeowners to keep their garbage disposals functioning is to run cold water while the unit runs. 

While this is easy, it’s also essential. Running cold water while grinding food can prevent blockages from forming in the garbage disposal and the drain, resulting in a clean garbage disposal. It will also prevent the unit from overheating. If the system gets too hot while running, food scraps can bake onto the blades, damaging the system and leading to foul odors in the house.

Another simple task is to put ice cubes down the garbage disposal. This will dislodge any lingering food particles and help sharpen the blades. 

How to Limit the Amount of Food Down a Garbage Disposal

When homeowners are in a hurry, they can scrape the food leftovers and dispose of them in the garbage bin. This helps them clean the plates faster but can also cause too much food to go down the drain at once, leading to clogs.

To avoid this, homeowners must simultaneously limit how much food goes down the garbage disposal. They can cut larger pieces of food into smaller pieces to avoid blockages.

Homeowners should also look for signs that the garbage disposal is malfunctioning and needs to be repaired or replaced. Some key symptoms to watch for are slow drainage, loud garbage disposal humming noises, and a garbage disposal reset button that doesn’t work. When these occur, property owners need to call in the professionals!

About DRIP Plumbing

The team of experts at DRIP Plumbing provides quality plumbing and drain services to the Northern Denton County area. A family-owned and operated company, they offer same-day services and only hire trusted licensed plumbers. Call them today for garbage disposal services in Denton, TX, including repairs and replacements.

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