If you require garbage disposal repair or replacement, our certified professionals can do the job right.
The garbage disposal unit is a work-horse of the kitchen. It breaks up waste that would otherwise clog up your kitchen pipes. But what exactly is a garbage disposal? A garbage disposal is a unit attached to your kitchen sink that allows for you to chop up any food material before it gets in to the drain. All it requires is running water and a flip of the disposal switch, and those scraps of food are small enough to be transported out of the house by the waste water plumbing. But if something is wrong with your disposal, suddenly the convenience of food scraps going down the drain can turn into the nightmare of a clogged kitchen sink. Waste from the dishwasher can also cause the garbage disposal to back up. No matter the reason for your clogged garbage disposal, if you live in Stryker, Bryan, and Napoleon, OH and need experts to come diagnose your problem, call Woolace & Johnson at 419-546-8424, and we’ll be out to correct the problem at your earliest convenience.
Do Not Put These Down Your Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal does a great job of getting rid of excess food waste. However, to prolong your garbage disposal units life, there are some things you should never attempt to put through your disposal.
- Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds can get stuck and build up over time. If you continuously put grounds down your disposal, they can continue to build up and create a clog further down the drain. This probably won’t affect your garbage disposal, but you still don’t want a preventable clog damaging your kitchens plumbing.
- Starchy Foods Excess amounts of pasta, potatoes, rice, and things like this won’t damage the garbage disposal itself. However, enough of these ground up items can turn into a large clog further down the plumbing. Always throw entire plates of spaghetti in the trash, not the disposal.
- Excess Grease Putting greasy food scraps through the disposal occasionally won’t cause a problem. However, pouring liquid grease into the disposal can cause clogging issues for your garbage disposal and your plumbing. Always use cold water when disposing of greasy food scraps. This lets the grease congeal into a solid, making it easier for the disposal to chop into manageable amounts.
- Fibrous Food Waste Celery, egg shells, and banana peels are a no-go for your disposal. These fibrous food waste products can get wrapped around the blades in your garbage disposal and create a jam.
- Abrasive Cleaners You should never pour bleach down your garbage disposal. This can create bigger issues further down the line. Always stick to kitchen sink specific commercial cleaners. You can also clean your disposal with ice and rock salt, vinegar and baking soda, or a full sink of water and dish soap. For the latter, fill the sink, then run the disposal as you drain the water. Always consult your garbage disposal owners manual before deciding on how to clean your disposal, as different units suggest different methods.
- Non Food Items If it’s not food scraps, it should not go into the garbage disposal. Anything made of wood, metal, or glass should not go in the disposal. If a spoon or glass finds its way into the disposal, turn the unit off and use metal tongs to retrieve whatever fell in. Never stick your hands directly into the garbage disposal.
Signs of Garbage Disposal Damage
If food is backing up out of your disposal, it’s time to give us a call, so we can repair your garbage disposal.
If your garbage disposal is leaking, there are several factors that could be affecting it. The leak may not even be a problem with your garbage disposal. Consider trying to diagnose the source of the leak before examining your garbage disposal. A leak that originates from the top of your garbage disposal probably means that the plumber putty holding it in place was damaged or needs replacing. If someone bumps the unit while putting something under the sink, this could cause the garbage disposal to dislodge from the plumber putty. It could also just be eroding away with time and need a new seal. A leak from the sides of the garbage disposal is indicative of loose drain lines connected to the unit itself. The garbage disposal is connected to the dishwasher and to the sewer line. Check all incoming and outgoing attachments to ensure they’re tight. If they are loose, chances are this is the source of your leak. For a leak from the bottom of your garbage disposal, or from inside leaking down, you may need to call a specialist to see if you can repair it.
Leaking garbage disposal repair is a prime example of plumbing services we offer to our community. We replace garbage disposals only when they are at the end of their potential 15 year life cycle, or when they become damaged beyond repair. If you’re in Stryker, Bryan, and Napoleon, OH and think you may need to have your leaking garbage disposal repaired or replaced, give Woolace & Johnson a call at 419-546-8424 to set up an appointment today.