Blocked drains can be a nuisance, a significant problem you don't want in your home. One appliance that can determine the effectiveness of your drains is the garbage disposal unit. Garbage disposals can malfunction due to poor maintenance and improper usage practices like any other equipment. Read on to learn how proper use and maintenance of your garbage disposal equipment can help prevent blockages in your drains.
Do Not Over Rely on the Garbage Disposal.
Indeed, garbage disposal equipment pieces are typically designed to be reasonably heavy-duty. That means they can break down even the toughest food wastes. However, the spinning blades of your garbage disposal equipment might allow large solid food chunks to pass through, accumulating over time to form clogs. Consider throwing them into your garbage bin than your disposal unit if the waste is comparatively bigger than a golf ball.
Consider Running Cold Water When Using the Garbage Disposal
While using a garbage disposal unit, consider running cold water constantly. The equipment relies on the streaming current to move water through the disposal and drain pipes. Failure to run cold water is dangerous since it can potentially damage the equipment's internal components.
Conversely, hot water is not recommended because it encourages food waste to solidify and get stuck on the garbage disposal or drain pipes. Therefore, consider turning on your cold water taps for a couple of seconds before using your disposal.
Avoid Putting Hard To Grind Materials in a Garbage Disposal
Some food particles and other foreign materials are difficult to grind, and you should ensure they don't end up in the disposer. For example, avoid grease and oil, which might solidify inside the disposal and cause clogs.
Additionally, avoid starch-rich foods, including potato peels, rice and pasta, which can expand when exposed to water and cause clogging in your garbage disposal unit and drains. Keep off plastics, large bones, eggshells or glass or paper, which can potentially dull the grinding blades inside your garbage disposal and result in subsequent clogging.
Consider Running the Garbage Disposal Longer
After grinding the kitchen waste, keep the cold water and your garbage disposal equipment running for at least a minute. That'll help flush all the crushed food particles out of your drain pipes to alleviate clogs.
Additionally, consider running cold water alongside some soap down the drain after grinding the food wastes. This technique helps clean out the disposal unit, ensuring all the waste is flushed out of the drain system.
Conclusion
Consider these four tips to maintain a functional garbage disposal unit and avoid blocking your drain system. Also, work with a reputable local plumber for more maintenance tips and advice on keeping your drains clog-free. Contact a plumber for more information regarding blocked drains.
