Garbage disposals are an essential appliance in the kitchen. They make cleaning up after meals easier and keep your space neat and sanitary. However, it can be a hassle when it breaks down, but you can prevent this from happening in the first place when you maintain it regularly. The following are some garbage disposal maintenance tips from C. Lee Services to avoid frequent plumbing repairs.
Use Plenty of Water
Flush the disposal with water while it’s grinding food scraps until it turns into a soft whir, and do it again for at least 30 seconds afterward. Doing so will help in pushing remaining food particles out of the disposal and pipes to prevent clogs. If your unit experiences recurring clogs, seek professional help from a reputable plumbing company to look into the issue.
Do Regular Cleaning
Sludge can accumulate in your garbage disposal over time, but you can prevent the buildup with regular cleaning. Put ice cubes down the disposal and run it to keep the unit clean, and use a dishwashing detergent or generic de-greaser to prevent grease buildup. Avoid using bleach and other harsh chemicals as they can cause permanent damage. A plumber in Cuyahoga Falls, OH from C. Lee Services can assist in cleaning your garbage disposal with safe and non-toxic solutions.
Avoid Hard, Fibrous, and Starchy Foods
Garbage disposals are designed for grinding foods into small pieces. However, this device doesn’t grind hard, fibrous, and starchy foods, such as bones, peach pits, potato peelings, and eggshells, as these can easily wedge underneath the blades and jam your unit. That said, only send down soft food scraps in moderation to avoid unwanted damage that may lead to an emergency plumbing issue.
Just like any appliance in your home, your garbage disposal requires regular care and professional plumbing services to keep it in tip-top shape. At C. Lee Services, we’re here to help you get the most out of your unit and maximize its lifespan. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.
