CARE FOR YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL

3 Tips to Have a Better Functioning Garbage Disposal this Fall Season

With the fall season in full swing you may want to ensure that your garbage disposal is maintained. With the holidays nearing, it can put a garbage disposal through all kinds of abuse from the increase of holiday cooking and entertaining, plus the usual amount of expired foods that are discarded. Here are a few tips to ensure a disposal works as it should.

1. What Not To Put In Garbage Disposals

Vegetable peels are tempting to toss into the disposal, but these are something that you want to avoid. Also pits and seeds from fruits like cherries, peaches, apricots and avocados. You may think that these are wont hurt the device but by plunging some pits down the disposal you are sure to hear rattling noises which will of course call for professional repair.

Additionally avoid citrus peels from lemons, tangerines and oranges and foods that are water absorbent when cooked like pasta or rice (because they will still expand while down the disposal).

2. Basic and Simple Maintenance

It never hurts to do a bit of preventive maintenance and it is easy when done for a garbage disposal. Just fill the sink with some hot water and add a small amount of detergent to make a bit of suds.

Remove the plug and crank the disposal (this will also assist in removing leftover food debris). Remember to shut off the unit, than begin scrubbing the inside of the disposal with a long scrub-brush. Next, turn on the cold water, next the disposal. Allow the water to run for about one minute. Do this a few times per week.

3. What Is Safe In Garbage Disposal

Items that are fine inside a disposal are breads (run a good amount of water afterwards to avoid a paste accumulating), leftover scraps of food from a plate, meats and vegetables that have been cooked (of course these must be in small pieces).

When it comes to egg shells, some say no and others say of course. Perhaps use your judgement and consider that egg shells are very light in weight, but be certain to turn in the disposal before placing them inside, then run water after tossing in the shells.

If a garbage disposal does not turn on, or if when it is turned on it sounds like it lacks proper power for it to run, do contact a professional plumbing service.

Time to get your Simi Valley home garbage disposal ready for the holiday season. Call Fix It Fast Plumbing at 805-623-4417 today.