Worried the Garbage Disposal Will Ruin Thanksgiving?

How a Working Garbage Disposal Can Save the Holidays

It’s pretty safe to say that this year has been a long year for everyone. But believe it or not, the end of 2020 is just around the corner. The holidays are approaching quickly, and homeowners are getting excited for some time to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season. Now is the time to get the house ready for those beloved holiday meals. However, “getting ready” doesn’t mean just digging up those favorite recipes or shopping early for groceries. It also means checking out all of the kitchen appliances, including the garbage disposal, to make sure they are ready to handle the holiday meals.

Understanding What Garbage Disposals Do

Garbage disposals play a big role in the kitchen plumbing system. They’re placed under the drain of the kitchen sink and collect food waste that falls down the drain. This waste is then stored in a grinding chamber until the disposal is activated. Then they grind up the waste into smaller pieces to move through the rest of the pipes easily without clogging.

Homeowners should feel confident that their garbage disposal will be able to do the job it was meant to do and handle the extra food waste that comes with hosting holiday meals. But these machines do have their limits, and should be turned on with running water. The last thing homeowners need is for the garbage disposal to stop working before or while guests are over. If it does, water and waste could start backing up into the sink. What a disastrous holiday meal that would be!

Could the Garbage Disposal Need Replacing?

So what can homeowners do? How do they know if the garbage disposal is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced? 

Homeowners can typically tell by watching for the following signs:

• Smell: Since food waste is temporarily collected in the garbage disposal, they can develop a bad smell. But this smell should go away after the waste is ground up. If the bad smell lingers, there may be food particles stuck in the crevices of the device. In this case, the garbage disposal needs to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned.
• Noises: The garbage disposal does make noise when it’s turned on, but loud screeching noises are not normal. This is likely a sign that the motor is wearing out and needs replacing.
• Reset: The reset button should be used seldomly. If homeowners notice themselves pressing this button frequently, there is something wrong with the unit. It could be due to insufficient wiring or normal wear and tear. It’s best to have the disposal checked out by a professional to figure out the underlying cause.

Tips and Tricks for Preventing Garbage Disposal Problems

Though garbage disposals are durable devices, homeowners still need to be mindful of what goes down the drain. Garbage disposals can’t handle everything! 

Some things to avoid are:

• Grease: Never pour grease directly down the drain because it’s one of the biggest causes of sink clogs.
• Drain cleaners: It’s not good to pour drain cleaners down the sink either, since the harsh chemicals could damage the garbage disposal. 
• Natural solutions: If bad smells come from the garbage disposal, homeowners should resolve the problem naturally. Grind up an orange or lemon peel since citrusy foods will often solve this problem.

Taking good care of the garbage disposal is the best way to keep it functional over the holiday season.

About Green Hills Plumbing

At Green Hills Plumbing, their customers enjoy upfront pricing with plumbing contractors who work carefully and efficiently on their home’s plumbing so they can get back to their normal routine with the least amount of disruption possible. Their master plumbers have years of local experience and training to handle any plumbing job safely. Contact them now for expert garbage disposal services!

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