Plumbing Service Tips: What You Need To Know About Your Garbage Disposal | San Antonio, TX
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A garbage disposal is a helpful appliance as it reduces trash can odor. It can grind down food waste so that you can properly dispose of it in your drains. If you’re planning to install one for your home, please read this article to get more information about your garbage disposal. Should you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
What Is a Garbage Disposal?
A garbage disposal is a motorized unit installed underneath your sink that grinds food waste into tiny particles so that you can safely dispose of it in your drains. It’s also known as a garbage disposer or a waste disposal unit.
How they work:
When you turn on the unit, the grinding chamber located at the bottom will rotate at a high velocity. It will then start to grind the food into tiny particles that flow down your drain. Garbage disposals are not like blenders because they don’t have blades but two impellers responsible for grinding down food waste.
If you have been having trouble disposing of your food waste properly, we suggest that you consider installing a garbage disposal for your home. However, we recommend that you always hire a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, to help you install your unit. Poor installation of your unit could lead to other problems that will cost you more money.
How Do I Know Which Size of Garbage Disposal I Should Purchase?
The size of the garbage disposal suitable for your home depends on a few factors: the number of people living in your home, how often you’ll be using the unit, the kind of food you prepare, and how much waste a family creates. The smallest size will be the garbage disposal which has a horsepower of about 1/3. Ideally, you should get this if you live alone. Consider getting a bigger disposal if you have a bigger family and cook your meals at home.
Get a plumbing service so a plumber can help you decide what size of garbage disposal you should purchase. Our licensed plumbers can also help you properly install them to ensure that you won’t have efficiency issues with your garbage disposal down the road.
As expert plumbers, we recommend that homeowners install garbage disposals, especially when they are prone to throwing large food particles down the drain. Grinding the food waste lets you avoid drain clog issues that may cost you a fortune in repair and replacements. When using the garbage disposal, though, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and regularly maintain them to continue using the unit for several years. For installation, again get a professional plumbing service.
Two Types of Garbage Disposals You Can Purchase:
You can choose from purchasing either the Continuous or the Batch Feed garbage disposal.
Continuous feed – The most common and the simplest garbage disposal to use. All you need to do is turn on the cold water, switch it on and then add the food waste.
Batch feed – You can only grind small food waste with the batch feed garbage disposal. There is also a need to use a stopper when activating the power. Otherwise, it will not work. If you want a simpler and easier to operate a garbage disposal, we recommend using continuous feed.
Where Can I Purchase a Garbage Disposal?
You can buy a garbage disposal at your local retailer and even online. But we suggest that you get help from a plumber, especially when you don’t know anything about garbage disposals. You can also do your research or ask friends or family members about the best garbage disposals brand you can purchase.
Do you have other questions about garbage disposals? Get a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, today for assistance.
How Do I Use My Garbage Disposal?
If you haven’t used a garbage disposal in the past, make sure that you ask for assistance from a licensed plumber. Get a plumbing service so that we can help. We can tell you how to use the garbage disposal properly and what items you can put in the unit.
One thing to keep in mind: Just because the garbage disposal can grind down food waste, it doesn’t mean you can put everything there. There are other items you shouldn’t put in the garbage disposal as you may end up eventually damaging the unit. These items include:
- Grease or oil
- Rice
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Stringy fruits
- Pasta
Never put the items above, especially when you have a smaller garbage disposal. You may be able to put some items if you have a larger disposal installed in your home, but if you want to extend your unit’s lifespan, we suggest you find other ways to dispose of the items above.
Get a plumbing service if you have other questions about your garbage disposal. Also, don’t always depend on your garbage disposal. As much as possible, only cook food that you can consume to avoid more food waste. You’re only wasting money when you don’t consume all of your food. Remember, you’ll be using energy when running the garbage disposal, too — you can save money if you don’t run the unit frequently. You may want to consider other ways of disposing of your food, especially items that you can’t put in your garbage disposal. For further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our plumbers. We can help with whatever plumbing service you need.
How Do I Avoid a Smelly Garbage Disposal?
You may end up with a smelly garbage disposal if you don’t know how to use the unit properly. When the garbage disposal smells, food waste is likely still inside the grinding chamber that’s starting to rot. It could be because you failed to properly flush down all of the food waste. To avoid unpleasant smells coming from your garbage disposal, then run plenty of water into your garbage disposal to flush out all of the items. Also, make sure that you regularly clean the garbage disposal to avoid having a smelly kitchen.
Running water while using a garbage disposal is highly recommended as it can help in properly grinding the food waste and prevents problems with your drains. As much as possible, use cold water to avoid drain clogs. Fats and grease may solidify and get stuck in the pipes.
You can use hot water when cleaning the garbage disposal but not while grinding food waste, which will cost you more money.
For other issues with your unit, please don’t hesitate to get a professional plumbing service in your area.
Are Garbage Disposals Noisy?
It may be loud or not. It may depend on the model of your garbage disposal. But because it’s a motorized vehicle, it may have noises due to the vibration created. If you prefer a garbage disposal with less noise, then consider calling a plumber in San Antonio, TX, so that they can advise you on which model you should purchase for your home. Then ensure that you get a professional plumbing service to help you install the unit.
When you hear a humming or buzzing sound coming from your garbage disposal, there could be an object stuck inside, and it’s preventing it from grinding food. You can remove the object stuck inside the garbage disposal, but please be very careful. You will need to follow instructions but get a professional plumbing service, if you’re not confident about properly removing what’s clogging the unit.
Should you decide to do it yourself, please always refer to the manual for the instructions and make sure that you unplug your garbage disposal first to avoid accidents.
Should I Install My Garbage Disposal?
While there is a manual that you can use for installing the unit, we recommend that you get a professional plumbing service to install a new garbage disposal for your home. Installing a new unit can be complicated for an average homeowner. You may end up making a mistake that will compromise the efficiency of your garbage disposal. Installing garbage disposal will be difficult, especially when you’re adding it to your remodel, as you will have to consider the wiring and the electrical needs. It would be wiser to get a professional plumbing service.
Suppose you already have an old garbage disposal and just need to replace it. In that case, you’ll also need to get a professional plumbing service so that a plumber can help you properly remove the garbage disposal and then help you install a new one. Hire a plumber as it can be difficult to remove your garbage disposal. With the help of an experienced plumber, you have a guarantee that your unit will always work, and you can avoid poor installation issues.
When hiring a plumber, do make sure that you choose the best one to avoid issues with your unit down the road. Always hire a licensed and highly experienced plumber. Some retailers may also be able to offer you free installation, depending on where you bought it. If not, then get a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
What Do I Do When the Garbage Disposal Doesn’t Work?
Consider pressing the reset button of your garbage disposal to fix the problem. This button is located at the bottom exterior of your unit. Please refer to the manufacturer’s manual to help you determine where the reset button is. It may fix the problem, but you may have to get a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX if you keep having to press your garbage disposal reset button. There could be another problem why it keeps acting up. A licensed plumber should be able to thoroughly inspect the unit, diagnose the problem, and then provide you with cost-effective solutions.
Who Do I Contact If I Need to Have My Unit Repaired?
A licensed plumber can help you fix your garbage disposal. Please get a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, and try to avoid hiring an unlicensed plumber to help you remedy the problem. A handyperson may provide his services at a more affordable price, but he may not be fully equipped to carry out the job properly. Please contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio, for we are fully equipped; there is no need to schedule another appointment because our team will resolve the issue on the same day.
How Do I Maintain My Garbage Disposal?
One thing you can do is to regularly run your garbage disposal to keep the parts working smoothly and prevent them from corroding or rusting. Also, make sure that you don’t switch off the garbage disposal right away after grinding the food. Instead, let it run for a few more minutes to ensure that the food won’t get stuck inside. To prevent unpleasant smells, then grind some citrus peels after. A vinegar and baking soda solution can also help sanitize your garbage disposal.
Why Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
Are you planning to install a garbage disposal? Then please get a professional plumbing service today! Call one of our plumbers, and we’ll be there to assist you! We have fully licensed, insured, and experienced plumbers that can help with garbage disposals repairs, installations, and maintenance.
Our team is fully equipped to properly carry out the job. We also only use high-quality equipment to keep your home safe. We can also help you make an informed decision on what garbage disposal to purchase for your home. Our team is knowledgeable about the types of garbage disposal, what size you should buy, and what make or model is the best for your home. Contact us today for an appointment, and we are more than happy to help!
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