The Benefits of Installing a Sink Garbage Disposal in your Austin Home

If you live in the 78752 area of Austin, Texas, chances are you have already encountered some of the plumbing issues that are common to the area. From slab leaks to clogged drains, it seems like no matter how great your plumbing is, some small issue is always cropping up. One reliable appliance that can help with all those pesky problems is the sink garbage disposal. Before you hire a licensed plumber to install one in your home, it is helpful to learn a bit more about the numerous advantages of a sink garbage disposal so you are prepared to make the best decision for your home maintenance.

What is a Sink Garbage Disposal?

A sink garbage disposal is a household appliance that is installed underneath the kitchen sink and is powered by an electric motor. It is designed to quickly grind up food waste, usually down to small pieces the size of a pea or smaller, and then flush the waste through the standard plumbing. There are two primary types of sink garbage disposal on the market today: continuous-feed and batch-feed. The continuous-feed model is controlled with an on/off toggle switch. This switch activates the electric motor, and it stays on until formally shut off. The batch-feed model is a bit more expensive but also provides some additional safety features. It activates the unit when the unit cover or sink stopper is removed, meaning it stays off when there is no plug in the system.

What Are the Benefits of Sink Garbage Disposal?

There are many advantages to installing a sink garbage disposal in your home. Perhaps the most obvious one is that it makes your kitchen sink much easier to clean. With a sink garbage disposal, all food waste is quickly and effectively grounded down to a manageable size and then adds flushed out of your plumbing. This eliminates the need for extra scrubbing to get rid of old food particles and makes cleanup a much simpler process.

Another key benefit of installing a sink garbage disposal is that it helps keep your pipes free of clogs and blockages. Food waste is one of the leading causes of backed-up plumbing, so by grinding it all up and flushing it right away, there is much less likelihood that any clogs could form. This also puts less wear and tear on your pipes as they don't need to handle large pieces of food waste.

Finally, having a sink garbage disposal can also help to make your kitchen more eco-friendly. By quickly removing all food waste, there is less likelihood that it will end up in landfills. This reduces the environmental costs of food waste, and can prompt you to be more mindful about the amount of food that you waste.

What Are the Drawbacks?

While there are many advantages to having a sink garbage disposal, it is important to note that there are also some drawbacks to consider. For starters, they can be a bit loud when they are grinding up food particles. While this noise is usually not too loud, it can start to get annoying if you are trying to have a conversation in the same room.

Another issue to keep in mind is that food waste is not always easily ground up. Sticky substances such as raw egg, pasta sauce, and peanut butter can become stuck in the unit and cause a buildup of waste, leading to hassles if your unit needs to be manually cleaned.

Keep in mind that it can be expensive to hire a licensed plumber to install a sink garbage disposal into your kitchen. Many plumbers offer competitive rates, but the cost can become very high if the plumber needs to move plumbing pipes or reroute drainage lines.

Home Maintenance

Sink Garbage Disposal

Austin Plumbing