Tips to Have a Functioning Garbage Disposal

A combination of cooler weather plus a spate of food centered holidays tends to cause an uptick in cooking. This can be hard on the kitchen disposal. Here is how to make sure yours makes it through the rest of the year in good shape:

What to Put Down the Disposal

Make sure you only put biodegradable foods down the disposal. Keep in mind that not all food items are appropriate for the disposal.

A few things that should not be put down the disposal include: fibrous material, like corn husks; potato peels, because the starch can make them clog the disposal; expandable foods, like pasta and rice; and large animal bones.

Dealing with Fallen Objects

Perhaps you dropped a small utensil, like a baby spoon, and it disappeared into the disposal completely. Or maybe you were repotting plants and a pebble fell into the disposal.

The item has to be removed before you turn the disposal on again. Leaving it there can cause serious damage to the disposal. You might be able to remove the item using common kitchen tongs or a tool, like needle nose pliers. A flashlight may help you see exactly where it is.

You should never insert your hand into a disposal in your Sherman Oaks home. It is a good way to end up maimed. If you cannot manage to remove the item with a tool and you feel like you must use your hand, unplug the disposal and put on safety gloves to protect yourself from the sharp blades.

Better yet, if you cannot readily remove it with a tool, call a plumber. If you stick your hand in a disposal and something goes wrong, you can be maimed for life. It really is not worth the risk.

When It Just Will Not Grind

Most of the time, it just needs to be reset. Look for a reset button on its motor underneath your Sherman Oaks home sink. Just push to reset. If that does not work, check if the fuse is blown or the circuit breaker has been tripped. Then try push starting it. Most models have a hole underneath where you can insert a tool for this purpose.

If all else fails, call a professional plumber to handle it for you. If it happens too often, consider replacing it.

Time to get your Sherman Oaks, CA home garbage disposal ready for the holiday season. Call Plumbing Brothers & Rooter at (855) 336-2679 today.