Garbage Disposal Problems? What do to do if you're having these common issues

What to Do If  You're Having These Common Garbage Disposal Issues
Garbage disposals are handy appliances, but they’re often taken for granted. When used correctly, disposals grind food debris into particles small enough to easily pass through drainpipes. If installed and used properly, they may last up to 15 years. Despite their reliability, problems occasionally arise, and homeowners who don’t know how to repair a garbage disposal need help from plumbers in south Florida. In this guide, our plumbing company will discuss the most common garbage disposal issues and how to resolve them.
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Proper Use of a Garbage Disposal
Though their names are similar, a garbage disposal is quite different from a trash can. Most units are designed to handle light scraps from certain foods. Generally, users should not place the following things in a garbage disposal.

• Fats such as butter, grease, cooking oil, and heavy cream-based sauces
• Beans, rice, pasta, and other starchy foods
• Fibrous foods like celery, carrots, potato peels, and banana peels
• Seafood shells, eggshells, bones, and other hard materials
• Non-food solids and liquids like glass, plastic, solvents, and paint

Along with what you put down the garbage disposal, the way it’s used makes a difference as well. Let the cold water run while you’re using the unit, as it allows grease to flow through the drainpipes more easily. If problems still occur despite your best efforts, call a plumber in south Florida.

Address Issues Promptly
There are a few garbage disposal issues that most users encounter at some point. By resolving them quickly, it’s possible to prevent bigger and more serious plumbing problems. In the sections below, we’ll tell you about these difficulties and how to work around them.

Clogs
While garbage disposals usually grind food easily, clogs may occur when waste reacts to water (or the lack thereof) during the process. If insufficient water or the wrong kind of food is used, a clog may develop in the P-trap. Removing the drain trap and manually eliminating the clog is the easiest fix. If there’s no clog there, though, it’s likely further down the drainpipe. Depending on your ability to use tools such as pipe wrenches and drain snakes, it might be easier to call a south Florida plumber. Prevent clogs by using the garbage disposal as recommended and by flushing it with cold water during use.

Leaks
A leaking garbage disposal may lead to mold growth, foul odors, pest infestations, and other problems with plumbing in south Florida . Leaks may develop in several parts of a system, including drainage hoses, plumbing connections, and the unit’s outer casing. While a connection leak is easy to resolve with a minor repair, cracked casings are typically addressed by replacing the unit. Garbage disposals last 10 to 15 years. If yours is leaking and reaching the end of its lifespan, a complete replacement by a residential plumber is the best option.

Obstructions
If your home’s garbage disposal won’t run but the motor makes a loud noise, the flywheel is probably jammed. Like clogs, obstructions typically occur when the wrong things are put down the disposal. It’s easy to fix a jammed flywheel by using the wrench and the instructions that came with the unit. If that’s too involved, though, give our licensed plumbers a call and we’ll take care of it for you.

Odors
A foul-smelling garbage disposal is unappealing and annoying. Odors are usually caused by food waste that’s trapped in the drainpipe, which occurs when insufficient water is used during disposal. There are a few steps you can take, such as flushing the unit with baking soda and vinegar or using a commercial cleaning product. When these methods are unsuccessful, our best plumbers can inspect your drainpipes for hidden blockages and other issues. Call today to get help from an emergency plumber.

When is the Best Time to Replace Your Garbage Disposal
It’s not easy to repair a garbage disposal. When parts wear out and cracks develop, it’s easier to replace the whole unit. If your disposal is exhibiting any of the following signs, it’s time to give us a call.

• Leaks that can’t be stopped
• Recurring clogs
• Excessive noise and frequent blockages
• Slow operation

If it’s time to install a new disposal, we can help you choose the right unit. New garbage disposals come with various features, and our experts will help determine which type meets your household’s needs. In most cases, it’s best to leave garbage disposal replacements, repairs, and related plumbing services to our quality plumbers.

Contact Us Today!
Our certified plumbers can diagnose problems and provide effective plumbing solutions. Whether it’s a disposal repair or a garbage disposal installation the plumbing specialists at South Florida Plumbing and Backflow are here for all your plumbing needs. Our local plumbing technicians have many years of experience, and we know that commercial or residential plumbing issues don’t always happen at convenient times. That’s why we always have a 24 hour plumber on call! With our fast scheduling and emergency plumbing service, it’s never been easier to get the plumbing and garbage disposal repair or replacement services you need. When you don’t know how to install a garbage disposal, you can request more information online or call today to book an appointment with a commercial plumber.