Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘garbage disposal repair’

Garbage Disposal FAQ

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Garbage Disposal FAQ

Garbage disposals are one of the unsung heroes in our homes. These appliances prevent the kitchen sink from constantly clogging up. They also make the task of washing dishes less cumbersome. These appliances are in almost all homes, but not many people fully understand how they work. Understanding how they work is important to prevent possible issues. Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin, has put together this compilation of the most common questions people have about garbage disposals. Read on and get the answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask!

Is the Garbage Disposal Dangerous?

The image that many people have in their minds about garbage disposals is that this appliance is chockfull of knives and blades which are just waiting to chop anything that comes their way. This mental picture scares people so much that they don’t want to even open the garbage disposal to see what is inside!

The plumbing maintenance experts at Turek’s Plumbing Services assert that while garbage disposals have some sharp moving parts, the bulk of the work is performed by a rotating hammer that will not do much damage to your hand.

This means that you can turn the disposal off and carefully use your hand to remove an object that is stuck there.

How Can I Maintain the Garbage Disposal?

Plumbers in Sacramento, CA from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing say that there are a number of things that you can do to keep the garbage disposal working at its best. Those measures include:

  • Run it frequently so that the moving parts and other components don’t corrode or develop other defects due to long periods of disuse.
  • Leave the garbage disposal to run for a while even after it makes a sound that shows you that the garbage has been ground up. This additional run time will get rid of all food remnants and the disposal will be free from residues that can trigger corrosion, nasty odors, and other problems.
  • Speaking of smells, it is a good habit to periodically place citrus peels in the garbage disposal. The grounded peels deodorize the garbage disposal and prevent odors from developing.

Can the Garbage Disposal Affect the Dishwasher?

If you notice that the dishwasher isn’t draining properly, the garbage disposal may have some issues. For example, some people forget to remove the drain plug when they first install a new garbage disposal. Consequently, water from the dishwasher will have no channel to flow through and it will backup. 

Which Foods Shouldn’t Be Put in the Garbage Disposal?

To keep your garbage disposal running properly, there are certain foods you should never pour down the drain. Some foods will have an adverse effect on the garbage disposal or the plumbing system. Those foods include:

  • Grease. It can cool and harden, and over time, clogs will develop as more solids get trapped by the grease.
  • Fibrous foods, such as celery stalks, eggshells, corn husks and onion skins.
  • Seeds, bones, and kernels.
  • Coffee grounds.

We know that you will still have questions about your garbage disposal from time to time, and that is why at Turek’s Plumbing Services are inviting you to contact us for quality plumbing. Our experienced plumbers will give you all the information that you need to fix minor garbage disposal issues. We will handle the more complex defects so that you don’t have to worry about the plumbing system of your home. Contact us today!

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Common Garbage Disposal Issues

Friday, November 18th, 2016

Common Garbage Disposal Issues (And What You Can Do About These)

Most people pay little attention to their garbage disposal systems despite the convenience these provide us. Until the garbage disposal unit acts up and needs repair that is. Just imagine how your cooking and cleanup routines are put in disarray with just one day without the garbage disposal unit.

This is why it is important to learn how to properly use and care for your garbage disposal. Experts recommend cutting or breaking up large chunks of food into smaller pieces.  Avoid throwing non-food items, hard foods and oil. Fats and grease are also a main source of clogged garbage disposals.

It is important for homeowners to look for common garbage disposal issues which can lead to bigger problems when left unchecked. What are these common issues?

Bad smells coming from my sink

As you continue to use your garbage disposal on a daily basis, food and liquids can leave residues. This happens especially in the drain and the main unit itself. In turn, these residues may give off a bad odor. The simplest solution to this problem is to pour a solution made of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. However, if the bad smell persists, it is best to call in your local plumber to solve this problem for you.

Build-up of oils, fats, and grease

One of the biggest mistakes property owners make is to pour oils, grease and fatty food into the garbage disposal system. Over time, these liquids can solidify and build up in the pipes of the actual garbage disposal system. As much as possible, avoid throwing these into the garbage disposal unit. Instead, use a separate receptacle for these. If the garbage disposal seems to work sluggishly due to the build-up of these materials, you can pour hot water to break these up.

Motor failure

Your garbage disposal has a definite lifespan. However, bad practices can significantly shorten this. In particular, its motor can be vulnerable to a host of garbage disposal issues, including overheating, which often arises due to throwing items that the garbage disposal system was not designed to handle.

If the motor seems to be not working, you can look for the reset button and press it. Sometimes, this will solve your woes. In case the motor does not work despite resetting, call in a Fox Cities Plumber. A simple repair could get the job done. In other cases, your garbage disposal system may need a replacement.

Leaks

Leaks can arise from different areas in the system. If the leak seems to come from the drain pipe, a simple replacement of the rubber gasket will solve the problem. If the system has been newly installed, you need to check the ring found near the sink flange. It is important to ensure that the ring is tight. However, if the leak seems to be coming from the body of the unit itself, it may be time to get a new one.

Noises

Most noises occur when a hard foreign object finds its way into the disposal system. If the foreign object does not get jammed, it will eventually go down the drain.

Sometimes, the disposal unit can become noisy when its parts become loose. You simply have to tighten these up. There are also instances wherein the unit’s lugs and blades have become worn down due to overuse. Some models allow you to replace these; however, in most instances, this is a sign that you need to invest in a new one. 

If your garbage disposal issues match some of the above listed problems give us a call. We are located in Appleton and have service trucks available to surrounding Fox City and Oshkosh residents.

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