Tips To Have A Functioning Garbage Disposal

As the fall season approaches and people’s thoughts turn to cook, the family garbage disposal can be given quite a workout. However, it is during these times that many people begin to take their disposal for granted.

Because they believe practically anything can be put into disposal without fear of damaging it, people fail to realize that these machines can be damaged just as easily as most other home appliances.

However, by using common sense and adhering to a few rules, garbage disposal can be kept in excellent working order for many years.

Moderation is the Key to Success

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their disposals is putting too much in it at once. Since home disposals are not as tough as industrial-grade models, it can be very easy to clog their drain pipes.

This usually happens when a refrigerator is cleaned out and too much food is put at the disposal at once. For this problem, a plumber will need to be called to unclog the pipes and ensure the disposal’s blades and motor are still working well.

Don’t Combine Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems

Some people choose to put your Austin home garbage disposals on their septic systems, which is not allowed by most plumbing codes and can lead to numerous problems for a home’s plumbing system. In some older homes, the disposal may already be installed to work with the septic system.

If this is found to be the case, a plumber should be contacted to overhaul the home’s plumbing system so that the garbage disposal and septic system are separate from one another.

Otherwise, each time the disposal is used, it will pump garbage into the septic tank, leading it to fill up quickly and need to be pumped more often.

No Fiber in the Disposal

One of the most common problems plumbers find with your Austin home garbage disposals is too many fibrous foods being put into the disposal.

When items such as corn husks, onion skins, potato peelings, and celery stalks are put into the machine, they can become tangled in the disposal’s blades and also clog the drain.

If left unchecked, they can eventually seriously damage the disposal’s motor, which may lead to a new machine needing to be purchased and installed.

In addition, the potato peelings may also turn into a thick paste while being ground up and cause the blades to stick.

Time to get your Austin, TX home garbage disposal ready for the holiday season. Call S & D Plumbing today.