A garbage disposal is a handy tool that will last a long time if properly taken care of. To avoid running into garbage disposal problems, follow these simple tips. Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Avoiding Garbage Disposal Problems
A garbage disposal isn’t meant to handle everything. Putting the wrong things down the drain will lead you to troubleshoot garbage disposal issues. To avoid garbage disposal problems, and the need to call your repair person, you need to know what you can and can’t put into it. Peels from starchy vegetables, like potatoes, should be avoided. The reason? They will clog up your disposal. Coffee grinds and eggshells should also be kept out of the garbage disposal for the same reason. Oil and grease should also not go into your garbage disposal.
The garbage disposal has blades in it that need to be kept sharp. Every once in a while, drop some ice cubes down the drain and grind them up. This will help to keep the blades sharp.
As bits of food collect in the garbage disposal over time, it’s possible that odors may develop. If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your sink, just grind up a lemon or two. Doing this on a semi-regular basis will keep your disposal smelling citrus fresh.
Do I Have A Clog?
It’s easy to tell when your garbage disposal is clogged, as the water won’t drain down the sink the way it should. When this happens, you definitely don’t want to stick your hand down the drain. Instead, use the tool that came with your disposal unit. You can also use a piece of wood, like the handle of a wooden spoon or a dowel. Whatever you use, you want to turn the motor backward a few times. This should free up any stuck bits of food clogging things up. Try running water to see if the sink drains better.
If the breaker has tripped on the unit, hit the reset button and try running it again.
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