How to Prevent a Garbage Disposal Clog
Whether your garbage disposal is a new addition or an old fixture of your home, regular maintenance and proper use is vital. Garbage disposal clogs can stop your kitchen sink in its tracks, leading to smelly backups, water damage, and costly repairs. Fortunately, there are a few ways that homeowners can prevent garbage disposal clogs before they form. Follow these tips to prevent garbage disposal clogs in your home and keep your kitchen sink running smoothly.
Don’t Use Your Garbage Disposal For Everything…
It can be tempting to use your new garbage disposal for anything and everything that comes off of your dishes. However, doing so can cause your disposal to be out of action just as soon as you installed it. Common household food waste may seem innocuous, but many items can cause serious detriment when put down your kitchen sink’s drain. Tough foods such as fruit and vegetable skins, bones, and fruit pits can damage your disposal’s impeller and blades, causing it to malfunction and backup. Fibrous foods like vegetables, eggshell membranes, and some meats can tangle and gum up your garbage disposal’s blades as well. Starchy items like potatoes, rice, and pasta can absorb water and cause a garbage disposal clog, especially if they are uncooked.
… But Do Use Your Disposal Regularly
Do not let the above paragraph fool you. You can and should use your garbage disposal. Most units are excellent at grinding up small bits of soft food waste, and you can rinse small amounts of these down the drain with confidence. Your garbage disposal can actually clog or corrode from lack of use. You should use your garbage disposal regularly to flush out obstructions, keep your blades from rusting, and flush out debris. One way to keep your garbage disposal in top condition is to run your unit with a bit of dish soap for a minute or so — with water running, of course!
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
If you aren’t sure whether or not something will clog your sink, throw it in the trash. It is not worth it to take a gamble. If you have a large volume of otherwise grindable soft foods, throw them out. Large amounts of any material can potentially clog your sink, no matter how mushy they are. Garbage disposals are an excellent investment, and they can perform wonderfully when you take care of them. If your garbage disposal is clogged, don’t lose a finger trying to fix it yourself. Call Metcalf Plumbing whenever plumbing issues arise to have a service-oriented professional get your sinks, bathtubs, and drains back in working order.
Experience the Metcalf Plumbing Difference
Metcalf Plumbing is a customer-focused plumbing contractor serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Catonsville, Ellicott City and surrounding areas. From water heater installation, sump pump installation and repair to water and sewer line replacement, Metcalf Plumbing is a trusted resource to call on when you need help with your plumbing services. We are not commission-based and we provide honest, upfront costs with a thorough inspection of your system and suggested next steps. Our trained and courteous technicians are standing by to provide quality comfort at competitive prices. You can call us at 410-242-311 and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!