If you already have a garbage disposal unit installed in your kitchen sink, you know how powerful it can be. When you turn it on, you hear the motor going, slicing up everything you stuff in there and getting rid of it without a second thought.
As a result, you might be under the impression that your garbage disposal unit can take care of anything you throw at it.
And that’s just not the case.
Here at Mount Airy Plumbing, we’re a team of Philadelphia plumbing contractors, and we often run into residential plumbing clients who have issues with their garbage disposal. Maybe you didn’t know what you should and shouldn’t put down the drain, or maybe you did but your kids or a well meaning house guest didn’t.
Or perhaps you don’t have a garbage disposal, but you always thought it would be a nice convenient thing to have.
We can help.
We can do a Philadelphia new garbage disposal installation, or garbage disposal kitchen sink plumbing repair, depending on your needs.
Philadelphia Garbage Disposal Plumbing Repair
If your garbage disposal isn’t working, there’s a good bet that it’s because you put something down there you shouldn’t have.
There is plenty you can put in your garbage disposal, of course, but there are a few things you ought not to as well.
Either way, if your garbage disposal isn’t working, it’s not a good idea to try and repair it by yourself. Because after all, these machines are so powerful they’re designed to grind up animal bones, so you don’t want to know what they can do to your hands.
Instead, call Mount Airy Plumbing. Our licensed professional kitchen sink plumbers for garbage disposal repair can help.
Philadelphia New Kitchen Sink Garbage Disposal Installation
If you don’t already have a kitchen sink garbage disposal unit installed, you might be amazed at how convenient they are.
Rather than having to clean up after dinner, so much of the food waste created during a meal ends up just going right down the drain.
However, it’s a little complicated to install a new kitchen sink garbage disposal unit.
And you definitely don’t want to do it wrong, because then you run the risk of needing to call a leaky pipe repair plumber or even a 24 hour emergency plumber in Philly.
It’s made even more complicated by the powerful machinery involved in grinding up what you put down your garbage disposal.
So If you want a kitchen sink garbage disposal unit, call the professionals. Call Mount Airy Plumbing.
Kitchen Sink Garbage Disposal Unit FAQ
If you’ve never had a kitchen sink garbage disposal unit before, you might have a lot of questions about how it works. No problem, we can help.
Take a look below to see some of the most frequently asked questions we get when it comes to kitchen sink garbage disposal plumbing. If you don’t see the question you have, take a look at our general FAQ page. And if that still doesn’t answer your question, give us a call. We are happy to help.
The vast majority of food waste can go down your garbage disposal without any issues. This includes the leftovers from meals, cooked meats, fruits and vegetables, eggshells, and even animal bones. As you run your garbage disposal, however, be sure to keep the water running as well. This helps to wash away the stuff you actually grind.
Grease, oil, and fats are some of the biggest culprits that cause issues with kitchen sink garbage disposals. These can clog up your drains, especially if they end up mixing with other food particles. Anything particularly starchy can end up clogging up your kitchen sink garbage disposal as well, since they tend to expand when they get wet.
Fibrous vegetables can be a problem for your garbage disposal as well, like celery, corn husks, or onion skins. Their strands can gum up the blades.
Most importantly, however, remember that the vast majority of inorganic material cannot go down your garbage disposal. Cigarettes, plant waste, and even plastic containers are some of the more unusual things we’ve seen clog up a kitchen sink garbage disposal unit.
For the most part, if you run your kitchen sink garbage disposal, it should get rid of the smell. If that doesn’t help, try tossing some lemon rinds, or even a full lemon, into your garbage disposal. If the smell persists, it could be an issue with your plumbing. It’s a good idea to give us a call right away, since if your kitchen sink garbage disposal is letting sewer gas into your house, this can be extremely unhealthy.
Yes, but it’s not a good idea. You may end up causing problems with your septic tank, which can lead to costly and unpleasant repairs. As well, you’ll end up filling up your tank more quickly, which can lead to additional expenses for draining it.
If you’re using a septic system, it’s likely you live in a rural area. In that case, it’s usually a better, more effective idea to start a food waste compost in your yard instead of using a kitchen sink garbage disposal.
Not If you maintain it properly and don’t put things down it that you shouldn’t.
If you do need a clogged drain cleaning repair or a main sewer line clogged repair, we can of course help with that. However, generally speaking, you shouldn’t have any issues.
First of all, make sure you read the section on what not to put down your kitchen sink garbage disposal.
Next, be sure to run your kitchen sink garbage disposal unit long enough to fully rinse away everything it has ground up. If you don’t, it may end up just sitting in your dreams, which can cause a clogged drain. When it sounds like all the food has ground up, let it run for an extra few seconds.
Finally, be sure to use it regularly. If you let it sit for too long, the parts can become rusted and corroded.