Things to know about your Garbage Disposal| Property Maintenance

Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts

Proper maintenance and operation will extend the life of your garbage disposal and prevent plumbing and drain mishaps.

If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you know that it’s a great appliance that makes household duties less demanding. But if not operated or maintained properly, a garbage disposal can easily break down, block and clog the drains and cause a long list of expensive plumbing and drain nightmares.  Please note that damage caused from not following this guideline will be billed back to the resident.

Garbage Disposal Do’s:

Garbage Disposal Don’ts:

The most important rule of thumb: Don’t Put Anything In The Garbage Disposal That Is Not Biodegradable Food.  A garbage disposal is not a trash can; it’s for food scraps only.  Non food items can damage both blades and the motor. When in doubt, throw it out!

Keeping Your Garbage Disposal Running Problem-Free

Ice is an extremely effective and inexpensive method for cleaning your garbage disposal, sharpening the blades and breaking up any grease build-up which has accumulated. Just toss a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal and run it. As the garbage disposal chops into the ice cubes, the ice chips will effectively scour all the hard to reach areas of the unit, and melt down the drain. Try this once or twice a month to keep your garbage disposal in fine working order.

To Remove or Prevent Nasty Garbage Disposal Smells

Here are some  natural methods to clean your garbage disposal that are good for the environment and very inexpensive.

Tips for Removing Fallen Objects

NEVER, EVER insert your unprotected hand into the garbage disposal.  If you must use your hand to remove objects and debris from the garbage disposal, unplug the unit or turn off the appropriate circuit breaker. Always wear safety gloves to protect your hand from the garbage disposal’s sharp blades.

There are safer steps in retrieving the fallen objects. First, grab a flashlight and try to find the exact location of the object. Use a pair of extra-long needle nose pliers or an automotive finger gripper (available at most hardware stores) to extract the object from the garbage disposal. In some case, you may be able to use a bent coat-hanger to reach down into the garbage disposal and dislodge and hook the object. Even a pair of chopsticks or crochet needles can work to grab the object.

What To Do if Your Garbage Disposal is Not Grinding:

Call a Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Professional When All Else Fails

These are general maintenance tips and simple remedies for minor problems. If you try these solutions and they don’t work or if your problem seems to be getting worse, contact Horizon Services immediately. We have the tools and know-how to address almost every garbage disposal emergency.

Source: Horizons Services: http://www.horizonservicesinc.com /