Having a garbage disposal is a great way to help minimize kitchen waste and accelerate your cleanup process after each meal. However, just like any other appliance in your household, your garbage disposal needs routine maintenance to stay in good working condition. Below, we’ll address what this maintenance is and why it’s so important.
What is Garbage Disposal Maintenance?
As a homeowner, there are various maintenance tasks you’ll want to perform on your garbage disposal to keep it in good working condition. Some of these need to be performed regularly, while others can be done about once a month. One thing to always keep in mind is that you should be running water every time your garbage disposal is running. This will help flush food waste and make the blades cut more easily.
Grind up small ice cubes and some rock salt weekly to help keep the blades of your garbage disposal both clean and sharp. One of the best ways to prevent odors from your garbage disposal is to pour down a mixture of vinegar and baking soda about once a week.
You may want to consider grinding up citrus peels from a lemon or orange about once a month to give your garbage disposal a nice fresh, clean smell. You should always avoid putting any sort of chemical drain cleaners through your garbage disposal, as it will cause its internal components to prematurely corrode.
Why is Routine Maintenance Important?
Before you invest your time in any activity, it’s crucial to ensure it’s worth it. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most imperative reasons behind performing routine maintenance on your garbage disposal system.
Prevent Clogs
One thing that homeowners never want to deal with is a clogged garbage disposal. Items like food scraps, grease, and other oils can lead to blockages in the drain for your garbage disposal over time. By performing routine maintenance, you can help regularly flush and clean out any debris buildup before it completely clogs your garbage disposal.
Extend Disposal Lifespan
It’s no surprise that appliances that get routine maintenance last longer than those that don’t. Maintenance helps ensure all the internal components of your disposal get the care they need to stay in tip-top condition for their usable lifespan. Simple practices like keeping your garbage disposal’s blades sharp and debris buildup out of your unit to prevent your motor from overworking can do wonders for extending the lifespan of your garbage disposal, so you can get more for your investment buck.
Reduce Odors
One of the most annoying things about an unkept garbage disposal is foul odors. No one likes to have odors in their kitchen, especially when they’re preparing and serving food. By routinely keeping up with maintenance for your garbage disposal, you can get rid of any food residue that may be stuck in the disposal that would otherwise lead to unpleasant smells.
Prevent Expensive Repairs
Routine garbage disposal service works to address any small issues that your appliance may have, like worn-out parts or jammed blades. By addressing these problems when they’re small, you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a major malfunction with your garbage disposal.
Minimize Plumbing Issues
A well-functioning garbage disposal is just one component of your entire plumbing system. One of the best ways to help avoid issues like slow drainage due to clogs in your drain or sewer line is to ensure that your garbage disposal is working as it should be. If your garbage disposal has worn-out components or dull blades, it could allow food waste to escape into your drain pipes and end up blocking your drain or sewer line.
Avoid Unwanted Pests
Anytime there are leftover food particles inside your garbage disposal, it can attract unwanted pests. These include things like drain flies, cockroaches, and other unwelcome guests. Routine maintenance will ensure your garbage disposal remains clean and free of debris so that it doesn’t attract these pests.
Signs of a Problem That Needs Professional Assistance
As with any household appliance, your garbage disposal is likely to experience a malfunction over its entire lifespan. When it does, it’s critical to shut it off and call for prompt repair service from a kitchen plumbing pro. You should never continue to run your garbage disposal when you know it has an issue, as doing so will lead to more damage that’s ultimately more expensive to repair.
Odd Noises
While your garbage disposal will make some noise during operation, it shouldn’t be making any loud noises. If you start to hear rattling, grinding, or other metal-on-metal sounds, it could be a sign that there are loose components, something stuck in your garbage disposal, or even damaged blades. It’s best to shut your garbage disposal off and examine its internals to see if there is something stuck inside. If there isn’t, one of our professionals will need to evaluate your garbage disposal further to determine the root cause of the issue.
Water Leak
One thing you don’t want to see coming from your garbage disposal is water. If it’s starting to leak out of the bottom or side of the garbage disposal, it’s a clear sign there’s an issue. You should avoid running that sink further until we can repair the issue, as water leaks can create an expensive amount of damage to your cabinets and your home.
Requires Frequent Resetting
All garbage disposals can experience a malfunction that requires a simple reset. Your disposal will have a reset button on its bottom, and it will allow you to restart its electrical components. If you find that you need to reset your garbage disposal frequently, it’s a sign that there’s something malfunctioning inside that needs a professional evaluation.
Loud Humming
If you hear a loud humming noise when you turn on your garbage disposal, it typically indicates one of two problems. The first is that the blades for the disposal are jammed and not spinning. The second is that the motor for your garbage disposal is nearing the end of its lifespan.
You can try turning off your unit and checking your disposal to see if there is a metal utensil or something else inside that is jamming the blades. If the blades are spinning fine, you may likely need to replace your garbage disposal.
Power Failure
Another key indicator that there’s a big problem with your garbage disposal is that it’s not turning on. You can check to ensure that it’s completely plugged into the wall, and go even further by checking the circuit breaker to ensure that it’s in the on position. If you try the reset button on your unit and the circuit breaker is on without a response from the garbage disposal, the motor is likely burned up, and you’ll need to replace the entire garbage disposal.
Reliable Garbage Disposal Repair Service
Horizon Services offers reliable garbage disposal repair and other plumbing services for the Denver, CO community. We can also assist with all your garbage disposal replacement and new installation needs.
Give us a call today!
