There are two types of garbage disposals: batch feed garbage disposal and continuous feed garbage disposal. A continuous feed garbage disposal is perfect for smaller families that are less likely to need frequently while the batch feed disposal is meant to handle large amounts of food at once.
If you take care of your garbage disposal, they can last 10 to 12 years. You should:
- Avoid putting non-food items down the drain.
- Remove dishes, silverware and other objects from the sink when using the garbage disposal.
- Always disconnect the power before installation and during maintenance.
- Never put your hands inside the disposal.
- Run cold water while the disposal is working and approximately 30 seconds after the debris is gone to ensure the waste is flushed.
- Not run the garbage disposal and hot water simultaneously because it can wear down the motor.
- Not pour great or fat down the drain.
- Not let food sit in the disposal for extended periods of time because it will create odors and corrode the grinder.
There is a right and wrong way to clean your garbage disposal and it’s important to thoroughly clean your disposal to ensure the longevity. You should:
- Not use bleach because it can solidify and calcify the waste instead of it being able to move through the pipes.
- Use orange and/or lime peels to clean the disposer canister and blades because they remove odors.
- Make a one-to-one mix of water and baking soda (or vinegar) and pour it down the drain to help clean the disposal canister. The mixture will also get rid of odors.
If you have a septic tank, a garbage disposal increases the amount of waste and water that goes into the tank. Even though it is a small amount, the increase can impact how quickly the tank fills up. If you have a septic tank, it is important to have a garbage disposal with a high horsepower.
Every garbage disposal user will encounter issues at some point. The most common problems are:
Clogs and Jams: The clogging occurs in the drain and not the garbage disposal. Do not pour bleach to remove a clog, instead treat it as you normally handle other clogs. If the issue persists, you should call a plumber or handyman to assist.
If an object is lodged in the disposal it will block the blades or impellers from moving. Thankfully, most modern garbage disposals have a reset button. Lastly, there is a screw at the bottom of the garbage disposal that can be manually turned with a wrench; this reverses the direction of the shredder ring and will resolve.
Leaks: Check the hose clamp if you are experiencing a leak at the dishwasher inlet seal. The seal could be too loose or too tight causing the hose to not be sealed. But if the water is leaking around the sink mount and at the sink drain, apply putty to seal around the gasket. It is important to make sure the leak is dry before applying putty. And if you have a leak at the waste outlet seal, check the rubber gasket and make sure the screws are not too tight.
Noise: There isn’t a noise level indicator on any garbage disposals; however, if your garbage disposal is louder than usual this can be an indicator that there is an issue. If you are living in a newer home, it’s important to know that some newer sinks absorb sound better than lower quality sinks.
Garbage disposals are a great way to shred food waste but it is important to stay on top of maintenance and follow the operating rules otherwise your disposal will have a short lifespan.