Garbage disposals contain a flywheel and sharp cutting, rotating blades to shred food waste.
A garbage disposal is typically hard-wired into a home’s electrical circuit and connected to the plumbing pipes. Considering its job in the average household, it’s not surprising the majority of common malfunctions are from garbage disposals. Safety is one excellent reason DIY service is not advisable. Garbage disposals contain a flywheel and sharp cutting, rotating blades to shred food waste. It’s helpful to know what to expect when a plumber comes to the door.
Common Malfunctions
Water Slowly Drains
Garbage disposals that drain water slowly or not at all usually require drain service. A plumbing company will eliminate connections to the disposal and examine for obstructions. If necessary, a drain snake may be inserted after the sink trap to clear obstructions in the drain line.
The Disposal is Jammed
If your garbage disposal is doing a humming noise but doesn’t function, it might have a jam. Something is blocking the disposal’s moving parts, such as a utensil or other metallic object. A plumber will ensure the disposal is ready for safety and use a wrench to rotate the flywheel to manually release jammed material. If necessary, the disposal might be eliminated from its mount and plumbing connections to clear the jam.
Disposal Leaks
Water leaks in a home is never good. However, water leakage from a garbage disposal might happen due to numerous plumbing-related sources. For instance, the hose linking the disposal to the dishwasher might be leaking, the sealant in the sink flange might have deteriorated, or the drain pipe gasket is defective. Water leaks might also result from a defective flywheel seal.
Smart Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips
Here are some tips for smart garbage disposal maintenance from B&D Plumbing:
- Run your garbage disposal routinely
- Keep your disposal clean
- Grind food waste with cold water running
- Avoid pouring oil, grease, or fat into your drain
- Don’t use harsh chemicals such as bleach or drain cleaners
- Wait until grinding is done to turn off the motor
- Allow the water to run for a few seconds to wash and rinse the blades
- Never grind large animal bones and fibrous materials (onion skins)
- Minimal potato peels are okay. The starch will convert into a thick paste, causing the blades to stick.
- And many more tips!
Get in Touch With B&D Today!
Dealing with any plumbing concerns that require a professional to step in? Struggling with an absolute plumbing emergency that can’t wait? Let B&D Plumbing know. B&D Plumbing Inc. services the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. Get in touch with us by calling (301) 595-1141 or follow us on social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. As a small, family-owned business, we understand how important your home is—and we offer exceptional service that matches!