A garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen appliance that grinds food scraps into tiny pieces so it can pass through your plumbing system. However, improper use of a disposal can lead to clogs and drain backups that threaten your home’s plumbing system. 

Avoid putting fibrous scraps like celery, tough bones, coffee grounds and pasta in your disposal to prevent blockages. Grease should be poured into a can and thrown away in the trash. 

Clogged Pipes 

Garbage disposals are a convenient way to shred and wash food scraps rather than throwing them away. However, a garbage disposal isn’t the same as a trash can, and improper use can lead to clogged pipes and other problems. Coffee grounds, eggshells, pits and other hard objects can jam the disposal, causing it to hum or grind but not drain. 

Starchy foods like pasta, rice and potatoes also soak up water and expand, which can cause them to stick together and clog the drain. Grease should never go down the drain, either, as it solidifies and becomes a serious issue for your plumbing system. 

If your garbage disposal has a hex hole on the bottom of the lower hopper chamber, you can try to free a stuck disposal with a wrench. Just be sure to unplug the machine first! If you don’t have a wrench, or if the disposal is plugged in and doesn’t turn on, call a plumber. 

Damaged Pipes 

A garbage disposal can clog pipes when people put the wrong things into it. Fats, oils and grease should never go down a disposal as they will congest the unit and the drain pipe, causing clogs. Pasta is another no-no as it tends to swell when wet, which could cause it to get stuck in the disposal or the drain pipe. Stringy foods like corn husks, artichokes and asparagus stalks should also be avoided as they can wrap around the disposal blades or get caught in the drain pipe. 

The main issue is that although disposals are not damaging to plumbing, the way they are used can lead to clogs and other problems. Taking care of your disposal and understanding how it works can help prevent these issues. If you are concerned about your disposal, contact a residential plumbing specialist for advice. They can inspect your kitchen plumbing and determine what is causing your disposal to malfunction. 

Clogged Drains 

Garbage disposals provide homeowners with many benefits including reducing kitchen odors, increasing the value of their home and saving time. However, they do

have some drawbacks including the risk of clogs and the need for regular maintenance. 

Typical clogs are caused by hair, food particles, grease and soap scum. These clogs prevent water and waste from flowing through the drains. The stagnant water and rotting waste also serve as breeding grounds for bacteria and microorganisms that can cause serious health problems. 

Regularly running cold water through the disposal can help to prevent clogs. It is also important to avoid placing fibrous food scraps like celery or banana peels in the disposal. Cleaning the disposal regularly with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can also prevent clogs and keep the disposal smelling fresh. The resulting fizzy chemical reaction can dissolve stuck-on food scraps and kill odor-causing bacteria. The disposal should be run several times a day with cold water after each use to ensure that all of the scraps are rinsed away. 

Clogged Sinks 

The disposal’s blades pulverize food into a slurry that goes down the drain. This reduces the chance of clogged sink drains and backed-up sewer lines caused by too much food waste entering the plumbing system. 

A disposal’s motor is powered by an electric cord that plugs into a conventional outlet. Cheaper disposals don’t include the cord, but you can reuse an old one or buy a replacement at your local home improvement store. 

When you use the disposal, always run cold water to prevent food particles from splashing out during operation. You should also clean it regularly to keep the blades sharp. 

A few simple maintenance steps can extend the life of your disposal and prevent more serious plumbing problems. For example, regular use of baking soda and vinegar can dissolve stuck-on food scraps and kill odor-causing bacteria. For help with damaged plumbing systems or with plumbing in general, sites like https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-seddon/ will provide you with a lot of resourceful information.