The appliances in our homes are used multiple times a day. With every use, the wear slowly deteriorates the appliance, including garbage disposals. Not only can routine use affect the garbage disposal, but lack of maintenance and misuse can cause the appliance to fail well before its time. With that in mind, we at Orsack Plumbing Company would like to offer some tips and advice on how you can extend the life of your garbage disposal.

How to Increase Life Expectancy of Garbage Disposals

1) Avoid grease in the garbage disposal. Grease is not friendly to garbage disposals; it is essential that grease not be put down the garbage disposal. Many people are extremely tempted to dispose of grease produced by cooking by pouring it down the sink. After time, the grease deposits and buildup will occur from pouring the grease down the garbage disposal; from the buildup, the disposal will cease and malfunction. In most cases, grease damage is irreversible and you will have to replace the unit.
2) Regular cleaning of garbage disposal. Where the garbage disposal is thought of as an aid to cleanup, the garbage disposal should be cleaned routinely. Food particles, even mildew, and other residues fester in between the blades and in the nooks and crannies. As a result, the garbage disposal should be cleaned periodically to avoid the pungent buildup. To clean the garbage disposal, complete the following:
– Fill an ice tray with concentrated vinegar.
– Once they are frozen, pop the cubes out and flush them down the sink with cool water and the garbage disposal on.
– Clean the disposal at least once a week with this method.
The vinegar will neutralize the odors and the ice will sharpen the blades while the cool rinses away the debris. If your garbage disposal still emits odors, run the garbage disposal with citrus fruit peeling. Some experts recommend pouring a pot of boiling water down the sink to remove the residue and debris once a month.
3) Run cold water only in the garbage disposal. Always use cool water when the garbage disposal is running. Ensuring the water is flowing provides the blades with a lubricant, allowing them to function smoothly. The water is also necessary to flush away the food particles through the disposal and down the drain. To prevent overheating, cool water, as opposed to hot, will keep the motor cooled off.
4) Be selective what cycles in the garbage disposal. Not all garbage is disposable. There are different materials that cannot be cut down in the garbage disposal and only causes damage if you try. Examples such as metals and plastic are to be avoided at all costs. Items derived of these materials will only get caught up in the moving parts, often becoming dislodged, which then leads to the garbage disposal malfunctioning, the motor to overheat, and the eventually demise of the garbage disposal.

Garbage Disposal Inspections, Repair, Replacement & More in Your Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery, Pinehurst, Egypt & Conroe Texas Home

If you are in need of a garbage disposal installation or your existing garbage disposal requires repair, contact the professionals of Orsack Plumbing Company and let our specialists do the rest.