You may like using your garbage disposal, but are you treating it properly? We frequently take the things we rely on for granted, and our garbage disposals might suffer as a result of a simple, minor error. Even if you don’t realize it, your cooking habits might be causing damage to your disposal and plumbing.

Check out these Do’s and Don’ts to ensure that your garbage disposal gets the attention it needs.

DO: Run Water Down the Drain

Water lubricates the trash disposal blades and helps in breaking down waste. When using your garbage disposal, a steady stream of water helps clear the drain of any food particles and debris that are left behind. And, for the best garbage disposal performance, always use cold water when it is turned on.

DON’T: Use Your Garbage Disposal as a Trash Can

Garbage disposals are capable of handling a wide range of tasks, but they are not intended to serve as stand-in janitors. Soft food waste is good, but hard things or non-organic waste might block your pipes and ruin the blades. Avoid harming your disposal by properly disposing of anything in your kitchen.

DO: Clean Your Disposal Using Citrus Peels

To freshen a kitchen sink, grind the peel of an orange or lemon down in your garbage disposal to release its scent. Oranges and lemons are both good natural air fresheners for your garbage disposal; tangerines also work well.

DON’T: Pour Any Drain Cleaning Chemicals

Bleach and other strong household cleaners might harm your disposal and corrode your pipes. Aside from the physical damage they do to plumbing, chemical cleansers are also hazardous to your health. Instead, use green cleaning solutions; white vinegar may be transformed into a natural cleanser that is just as powerful in killing bacteria.

DO: Clean it Using Dish Soap

A drop of dish soap down the garbage disposal might help in removing any grease or filth that has gotten caught in your pipes. Use only a small amount and maintain the drain free of any fat, grease, or oils. Eggshells, pasta, grains, and stringy vegetables (such as celery) should also be avoided in the garbage disposal.

How to Fix a Clogged Garbage Disposal

If your garbage disposal is clogged or won’t turn on, here’s what to do:

  1. Switch off the electricity at the breaker box.
  2. Remove the rubber splash protector.
  3. Examine the blockage using a flashlight.
  4. Remove the thing using tongs (s). *NEVER put your hands down the garbage disposal.
  5. Restart the power at the breaker box.
  6. Reset the trash disposal using the little red switch on the disposal’s underside (underneath the sink).
  7. Switch on the cold water and the waste disposal.

If it doesn’t work, call a professional plumber who will come out and unclog your garbage disposal for you!

Call Caccia Plumbing for Your Garbage Disposal Maintenance

If you have any issues with your home’s plumbing, heating, or cooling and would rather not do it yourself, our professional plumbers are here to help! Caccia Plumbing is committed to providing exceptional service at an affordable price to assist you in making your house as comfortable as possible.

To learn more about the services we provide, please visit our website or contact (650) 442-1470 to talk with a representative immediately.