Even though trash disposals have been in use for many years, many things still need to be clarified about operating and maintaining them. While some myths are unharmful, others risk seriously harming your disposal system or pipes.
Let’s dispel some of these widespread misunderstandings and examine the operation of trash disposals. We’ll also provide some practical advice so you can extend the lifespan of your trash disposal.
What is a Garbage Disposal Operation?
The trash disposal’s grinding chamber is powered by an electric motor that is hardwired or hooked into a 120-volt outlet at the back of the sink cabinet. The flywheel’s grinding chamber, which breaks down food, comprises a ring of teeth-like impellers for shredding material. When food and liquids reach the grinding chamber, they are centrifugally spun into the shredding ring while the engine rotates the flywheel.
An impeller arm and plate force food scraps and liquid further down the sink drain. When the trash disposal is turned on, dishwater is poured through it to break up bigger particles before they reach the drains.
How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?
The average lifespan of trash disposal is about 10 years, but proper maintenance may last up to 15 years. With regular maintenance, you might avoid a number of issues, and depending on the extent of the damage, you could need a new system sooner than you think.
Factors that Affect the Duration of Your Garbage Disposal
There are a few things to keep in mind to prolong the life of your trash disposal.
What Will Decay the Garbage?
Garbage disposal motors and blades deteriorate over time when oily or fibrous materials are regularly placed through them. Your trash disposal will last less time and be more prone to clogging.
Frequency of Garbage Disposal UsageThe impellers in your trash disposal work harder and get worn out as you use it more often. Although using your trash disposal is fantastic, you should know that the more you use it, the quicker its quality will deteriorate.
What is Your Method of Trash Disposal?
Models of trash disposals that are more recent have longer lifespans. Your investment will pay off over time if you get a new heavy-duty trash disposal instead of a less expensive one.
You must understand how to care for your trash disposal if you want to keep it in good condition. A wealth of material is available that outlines what you should and shouldn’t do, but it may be challenging to sort through. To assist you in taking good care of your drain, here is a list of trash disposal maintenance myths that have been disproved.
1. Garbage disposals have sharpened blades.
Standard blades are not found in garbage disposals. Instead, food waste is ground up by disposals using a system of tiny shredding impellers that rotate quickly. These instruments can’t be sharpened, so they must shred anything you throw down the garbage with speed and ferocity.
Several homeowners have tried placing eggshells or ice into them to maintain the sharpness of their trash disposals. Putting ice in the garbage disposal may aid in the movement of trash through the system but won’t sharpen the metal.
Furthermore, putting shells in the garbage causes more harm than good. Membranes from egg shells may tangle with the impellers, and the ground-up debris can quickly block your pipes.
2. Hot water must be run when using the garbage disposal.
Grease and oils are often discouraged from being flushed down the drain because they might harden upon cooling, clogging pipes. You may feel the urge to run hot water to keep these fats liquid.
Even though you shouldn’t flush fats or oils down the toilet, running the garbage disposal under cold water preserves them in a solid state where they may be crushed into small pieces. Doing this makes them less likely to block the plumbing as they pass through it with the other food waste.
3. Use lemons to clean garbage disposals.
Although it may improve the scent of your sink by running lemons and limes down your trash disposal, this won’t make it any cleaner. Even worse, the enticing citrus aroma may conceal the unpleasant scents that often alert you to a more severe plumbing issue. Citric acid from fruits cannot clean or sanitize your garbage disposal, but it may damage the metal over time.
4. Any food waste may be disposed of in your garbage disposal.
Garbage disposals have several restrictions, even if they can manage a lot of rubbish. Eggshells, chicken bones, and fruit pits are hard, solid garbage that can quickly wear down your disposal. Celery, banana peels, and other fibrous, stringy items may tangle in the impellers and block the drain. Potato peels and other starchy debris are often quite challenging to dispose of.
Throw difficult food waste in the garbage rather than down the toilet. This modification may shield your trash disposal from harm and lengthen its life.
5. Garbage disposal has negative environmental effects.
Due to worries about the quantity of food waste they might contribute to public sewage systems, several regulatory limits on trash disposals have been placed in the past. Advanced wastewater processing systems can now handle everything removal can shove down the drain.
In actuality, processing food waste in water uses significantly less energy than dumping it in landfills. The gas produced by decomposing biological materials may be readily trapped and turned into usable energy when food particles are isolated from the wastewater.
6. You can’t use the garbage disposal when the sick is full.
It’s OK to keep stuff in the sink while using the trash disposal in your kitchen, but if you decide to do so, exercise caution and be aware of the hazards. Dishes won’t get in the way of the garbage disposal, but anything in the sink could tumble down the drain. If silverware or other tiny objects unintentionally fall into the removal, they may harm the impellers.
Advice on Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal System
It’s simple to maintain your trash disposal. Examine these self-help trash disposal upkeep suggestions to lengthen the life of your disposal.
Learn How to Use Your Garbage Disposal Correctly
Pay attention to the food waste you put in the trash disposal. While many things may be disposed of in the garbage disposal without any problems, certain items may cause harm in the future. This comprises:
- kernels of popcorn
- Peels of bananas
- fruit seeds
- broccoli stalks
- Corn cobs
- Garlic skins
- Bones
- Fats and oils
Use Proper Cleaning Methods
Putting dangerous chemicals down your drains might eventually lead to plumbing issues. Consider using a natural cleaning solution like vinegar and baking soda. This attracts dirt and muck, which you may wipe off and throw away.
If you don’t have access to those components, try chopping up some ice and dumping a cup of rock salt down your drain. These abrasive substances will help remove any last bits of gunk from your sink drain.
Be Cautious During Repairs
Garbage disposals are strong devices that need a lot of power to grind food waste. Therefore, if anything has been trapped and you need to remove it, don’t put your hand down the disposal. For appropriate maintenance, trash disposal safety is crucial, despite popular belief.
If anything is stuck within the disposal, it may momentarily stop the impellers from spinning, which might result in damage if you try to remove the object. It is best practice to always switch off trash disposal before attempting to remove an item with pliers.
Most disposals have a switch under the sink bowl, or you may have to disconnect it from the power source. If it doesn’t work and you can’t unclog a clog, you may need to contact a local expert plumber.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clean
Your trash disposal has to be cleaned often to remain functional. Depending on your use, we advise cleaning your garbage disposal and drain every two weeks. To avoid leaving behind a bad stench and prolonging the life of your trash disposal, mark your calendar and plan frequent cleanings of the disposal.
Maintain the Garbage Disposal’s Good Condition
Knowing the facts about your trash disposal will allow you to take the appropriate safety measures to keep it working at its best for many years. It is a good idea to hire reputable, experienced plumbers if your trash disposal malfunctions or becomes blocked.
You can rely on the team of knowledgeable plumbers at Elizabeth Plumbing and Drain Service in the Elizabeth NJ, region to keep your trash disposal in good working order. Feel free to contact us if you ever encounter any issues.
