Garbage Disposals May Be the Savior of Thanksgiving Kitchens
As another holiday season quickly approaches, most people start to see that “holiday spirit” floating around. People act a little nicer, they’re a little more generous, and they give thanks for what they have. Thanksgiving is a great time to give thanks for all of the blessings in one’s life. Many people give thanks for family, friends, a warm home, and all the little things in life. Even a functioning garbage disposal is something to be thankful for, especially because they can help make Thanksgiving dinner clean-up a whole lot easier.
How Garbage Disposals Prevent Clogged Drains
Garbage disposals are a standard appliance in kitchens and are a great way to prevent sink clogs. They’re placed under the sink drain and are tasked with collecting solid food waste that enters the drain. The waste is then stored in a chamber that can later be ground up. Once the waste is broken into smaller pieces, it’s easier for the waste to travel through the pipes without clogging.
The worst time a garbage disposal could break down is in the middle of the holiday season, when lots of guests are overeating, drinking, and having a good time. If the garbage disposal stops working, it can’t break up the food waste, potentially resulting in a clog and causing water to start backing up into the sink. Now that’s a way to ruin Thanksgiving dinner!
Protecting the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals may seem invincible, but they can’t withstand everything. Homeowners still need to use caution when putting food or waste down the drain to protect the garbage disposal and prevent it from having problems.
- Grease: First and foremost, never pour grease down the drain. Grease will harden as it cools and is a leading cause of sink clogs, even with a garbage disposal.
- Drain cleaners: Avoid using drain cleaners on the garbage disposal. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsher than most people realize. It can damage the device and harm the person pouring the product down the drain if it makes contact with the skin or eyes.
- Cold water only: Never have the hot water running when the garbage disposal is running. Cold water is better for preventing any grease or oil in the drain from solidifying.
- Citrusy foods: If the garbage disposal starts to smell, try using a natural solution. Grind up an orange or lemon peel in the garbage disposal to get rid of any bad smells.
When To Repair the Garbage Disposal
Unfortunately, garbage disposals can still experience problems, even with proper maintenance and care. Here are a few signs that the garbage disposal is in need of repair or replacement:
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- A foul smell that won’t go away: Because the garbage disposal is a temporary home for food waste, it can have bad smells that pop up once in a while. However, if the smell won’t go away, there are probably food particles trapped in the crevices of the unit. The garbage disposal should be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned to solve this problem.
- Loud screeching noises: Garbage disposals always have some level of noise when they are turned on. But if the device starts to make a loud screeching noise, it could be the motor that is wearing out. If this is the case, the garbage disposal will need to be replaced.
- Too many resets: The reset button should be used seldomly. If homeowners start noticing that they are using it frequently, there’s something wrong with the garbage disposal. It could be insufficient wiring or another form of wear and tear on the device. Hiring a professional can help get to the bottom of the problem and determine whether the device can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning
Proudly serving Salt Lake and Utah Counties and the surrounding areas, Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is dedicated to solving all residential and commercial plumbing problems. No matter the scale of the plumbing issue, they have a solution for every unique situation. Their expert plumbers in Lehi help customers get their homes back to a comfortable, convenient state.
