Aug15

By Dave Bangar

How to Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

Having a garbage disposal, or garburator, in your home is incredibly convenient. But like any appliance or plumbing fixture in your home, to get the most out of it, you need to know how to treat it right. 

To help you extend the life of your garbage disposal and avoid the need for an emergency plumber, we have some information and useful tips!

How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?

Generally speaking, the average lifespan of a garbage disposal is between 12-15 years. 

The exact time you get will depend on a number of factors, including the quality of the garburator, the frequency of use, how you care for it, and what you put in it. 

It is important to regularly clean your garbage disposal and schedule preventive maintenance with your local plumber. This preventative maintenance can help you keep the drain clean and avoid the need for drain snaking and emergency repairs. 

Tips For Extending the Life of Your Garbage Disposal 

Add Citrus

Citrus peels are a great way to clean and deodorize your garbage disposal. 

Simply peel a lemon, lime, or orange, throw the peel down the drain, and then let the garburator run. 

The peel will help remove the food waste stuck to the blades and interior of the disposal while adding a natural, fresh scent. 

Keep It Running

Most people will turn off the garbage disposal when the sound changes. But this does not mean all the food is gone. Turning it off too soon can leave little pieces of food waste in the disposal. Over time, these remnants can cause a clog. 

Keep the garbage disposal running for an extra minute or two with cool, running water. This will help move any remaining food pieces down the drain. 

Run Cold Water When Using It

While your instinct may be to use hot water while running the garbage disposal, cold water is better. 

Hot water softens food waste, causing it to stick to the blades and making it harder to flush away. Cold water, on the other hand, solidifies the food making it easier for the garburator to grind it up. 

Add Boiling Water 

We know we just said to use cold water while running your garbage disposal, but hear us out.

When trying to wash away food stuck in the system, boiling water is key. 

Once a month, pour a pot or kettle full of boiling water down the drain to loosen and flush away food particles. But remember, the heat will melt the food waste which can cause clogging so you don’t want to use this method more than once a month. 

Know What Goes in the Garbage Disposal

This is one of the most important tips of all. Understanding what does and does not go into the garbage disposal goes a long way to keeping it in working form. 

Your garbage disposal is not designed to process all your kitchen waste. It is best to stick to small bits of food as big pieces could overwork the disposal and cause clogs. 

Here are some items that should NEVER go in your garbage disposal:

• Plastic objects
• Metal objects
• Wooden objects
• Glass objects
• Grease
• Bones
• Fat and oils
• Fibrous vegetables like celery

Run It Regularly

Your garbage disposal is largely made of metal parts and these metal parts come into regular contact with water. If you don’t run the disposal on a regular basis, these parts can rust out and stop working. 

Even if you aren’t using your garbage disposal to grind up food waste, you should turn it on and let it run, with the water on, to prevent rust buildup and ensure that each part remains up to the task. 

Contact My Plumber Kelowna for Garburator Repair

While the above tips will go a long way to ensuring your garburator remains in good working condition, a time will come when you need to address a clog or repair/replace your unit. Fortunately, My Plumber Kelowna can help. 

From emergency plumbing services to general plumbing and garburator repair, our team of experienced licenced plumbers can resolve the issue and return your home’s plumbing to proper working condition. 

If you have questions or concerns about the way your garburator is functioning, do not hesitate to contact us for support. If you live in the metro Kelowna area, we have the ideal solution to your garbage disposal problems!