Reap the Benefits of a Garbage Disposal in Your Home

If you're looking to upgrade your kitchen, purchasing a garbage disposal should be at the top of your list of items to buy. A garbage disposal is an effective and attractive addition to a kitchen that can reduce the amount of waste that accumulates in dumpsters, landfills, and that festers in the environment. Garbage disposals may also increase home value and it may even help prevent plumbing issues.

Garbage disposals can benefit residents living in Austin, TX, (78754) as well. No matter what your home needs in terms of plumbing repair or maintenance, Abacus Residential and Commercial Plumbers is here to help. Our licensed and experienced plumbers are well-qualified to install, maintain, and repair any type of plumbing system, from water heaters to drain systems. Get in touch with us and book a convenient appointment today.

What Are Garbage Disposals?

A garbage disposal (also known as a waste disposal unit) is an electrical kitchen appliance that is installed beneath a kitchen sink and uses an electric motor to shred food waste into small pieces. Discarded food particles that are too big to fit in the sink drain are sucked up and ground up, making their way to the Early stages of the sewage lines and eventually being disposed of in the sewer.

Without a garbage disposal, homeowners must constantly empty the sink, disposal strainer, and garbage can — all of which can quickly get smelly and attract pests. Additionally, it can take a lot of manual labor to get rid of all the food waste. Garbage disposals are a convenient and efficient way to get rid of food waste, without the unpleasant smells and other associated inconveniences.

How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?

Garbage disposals are relatively easy to operate and don't require special expertise. To use a garbage disposal, first turn off the power either by unplugging it or by flipping off the circuit breaker. Start by plugging in the disposal and running the cold water for a few seconds.

Once the water is on, fill the sink with vegetable or fruit peels or other small food waste. Turn on the garbage disposal, and use a wooden spoon or tongs to push the food waste down the drain. Run cold water during the grinding process, and keep feeding in small amounts of food waste until the grinding process is complete.

Always be careful to not put in too much food waste, as this can clog the system or cause the motor to overwork. Additionally, never put bones, lard, vegetable shortening, glass, metal, rubber, paper, or fabrics into a trash disposal.

Important Maintenance for Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal can serve you fully and effectively with proper and frequent maintenance. To maintain a garbage disposal, start by running it regularly. This lubricates and keeps the disposal mechanism free of food particles and waste that can lead to clogs and odors.

Additionally, use a brush or a broom handle to clean the inside of the unit. Make sure to also grind lemon pieces and ice cubes in the garbage disposal — these help to refresh and sharpen blade edges, in turn causing the unit to grind more efficiently. Pour vinegar down the drain every once and a while to get rid of potential odors and prevent clogs.

In case of a tough clog, do not force it! Get in touch with a professional plumbing service like Abacus Residential and Commercial Plumbers – Austin, TX and get the help you need safely and quickly. Our licensed and experienced technicians can assess the problem and provide you with precise and reliable repairs.

Benefits of Purchasing a Garbage Disposal

Installing a garbage disposal in the home can be an excellent way to reduce kitchen waste, making sure that food scraps don't sit in the trash can or pile up in the sink. It also reduces the amount of time spent on handwashing.

Garbage disposals have many other advantages, too — they can help households save money in the long run, by reducing the demand for garbage bags, and reducing the number of times the garbage can needs to be taken to the outside for pickup.

Garbage disposals installed in 98% of homes are beneficial for the environment, too. By reducing the amount of food waste produced, homeowners reduce the burden on the environment, while cutting down on their ecological footprints.

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