Understanding Your Garbage Disposal
Before diving into maintenance tips, you should understand how your garbage disposal works. This device grinds food scraps into small pieces that travel easily through your home’s plumbing system. However, not all materials are suitable for disposal, and incorrect usage can lead to clogs in the sanitary sewer system or damage to the disposal itself.
Daily Maintenance Practices
Regular care can prevent most disposal problems before they start. Here are a few daily practices to keep your unit running smoothly:
- Run Cold Water: Always use cold water when operating the disposal. It helps solidify fats or oils, allowing them to be chopped up before entering the drainage system.
- Run Regularly: Even if you have nothing to grind, turn on the water and run the disposal regularly to prevent rust and corrosion and ensure all parts stay moving.
- Clear Out Debris: After washing dishes or disposing of waste, run the disposal for 15-20 seconds to ensure all waste is flushed through the system.
What Not to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Avoiding certain items can prevent clogs and damage, saving you from needing emergency service. Keep these materials out of your disposal:
- Non-Food Items: Including but not limited to plastic, metal, paper, and cigarettes.
- Grease and Oil: These can solidify within the plumbing system, creating blockages.
- Large Bones or Fruit Pits: These can be too hard for the blades to grind.
- Fibrous Foods: Items like celery, corn husks, and onion skins can tangle the disposal’s blades.
- Expandable Foods: Pasta and rice can expand with water and clog the trap.
- Coffee Grounds: They don’t break down in drains and can cause blockages.
Routine Cleaning Tips
Regular cleaning is key to avoiding foul odors and ensuring effective disposal. Here are some easy cleaning methods:
- Ice and Salt: Occasionally grinding ice cubes and coarse salt helps remove debris build-up on the blades.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: This natural cleaning solution can help eliminate odors and clear minor grease build-ups.
- Citrus Peels: Grinding citrus peels can leave your disposal smelling fresh and clean.
Professional Drain Cleaning Services in Irmo, SC
Even with regular maintenance, garbage disposals can sometimes create deeper plumbing issues that require professional attention. If you notice persistent problems like slow drainage, noises, or a reset button that frequently needs activation, it may be time to call the experts. Kay Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers full plumbing services, including leak detection, emergency plumbing, and drain cleaning in Irmo, SC.
Why Choose Kay Plumbing, Heating & Cooling?
At Kay Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we pride ourselves on our commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service. Our team of experts has extensive experience and knowledge in handling everything from routine maintenance to complex plumbing emergencies. We understand the unique plumbing challenges homeowners face in Irmo and the greater Columbia area, including issues with septic tanks, sump pumps, and French drains.
Stay Ahead of Plumbing Problems
Don’t let garbage disposal woes disrupt your daily routine or put your home at risk of water damage. Following these simple maintenance tips and understanding what not to dispose of, you can keep your unit working properly and your drains clear. If you encounter a problem that’s too big to handle on your own, remember that Kay Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is just a call away, ready to provide top-notch service tailored to your needs.
Ready to ensure your disposal and drains are in the best condition? Contact Kay Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today for professional advice or to schedule a service. Keep your home’s plumbing systems running smoothly with help from your local Irmo experts!