FAQs About Sink Garbage Disposal: Essential Information for Austin, TX Residents

Whether you occupy a residential or commercial building in Austin, Texas and need expert plumbing services, one of the best choices is Abacus Plumbing & Air Conditioning. Our team of highly-trained and qualified plumbers are capable of installing and repairing a wide range of plumbing systems within residential, commercial and industrial settings, from hydro jetting clogged drains to repairing leaky pipes and electric and gas water heaters.

The sink garbage disposal is one of the commonest plumbing fixtures that has been widely used for many years within households. In this article, we'll answer several questions about this fixture: what it is, how it works, what kind of maintenance it requires and a few more. To get the information that you need, read further.

What Is A Sink Garbage Disposal?

A sink garbage disposal—also known as a 'garbage disposal' or 'food waste disposer'—is a device or unit fitted under a kitchen sink. It's designed to grind up food waste such as fruit and vegetables—or even soft bones—and then wash it away so that it doesn't cause any clogging within the drain pipes.

How Does A Garbage Disposal Work?

A garbage disposal is relatively simple and easy to understand. Inside the unit is a flywheel which, when powered by electricity, spins a cutting plate made from hard metal. This grinding plate shreds and grinds any food waste that has been pushed into the garbage disposal, and the waste is forced through a spinning impeller.

What Kind Of Materials Can I Put Into A Garbage Disposal?

As stated above, any soft food waste such as vegetables, fruit and cooked meat can be chopped and ground down by the garbage disposal. Even soft bones such as chicken can be put in with no issues. Unfortunately, you must avoid the following materials from the garbage disposal:

• Oils and fats. These are not good for your drain pipes, so instead of putting them down the drain, you should instead pour them into a receptacle, then discard them in an appropriate place.

• Stringy food waste. This type of waste can cause issues with the garbage disposal, leading to it becoming stuck and potentially overheating.

• Beans and rice. These should be rinsed off in the sink before being discarded into the trash bin.

• Plastic objects. Any plastic objects must be disposed of through the waste bin, never the garbage disposal—plastic isn't able to be chopped up and can cause damage to the blades and impeller instead.

Does A Garbage Disposal Need To Be Cleaned?

To ensure that your garbage disposal stays in excellent condition and works reliably for many years to come, then we recommend that you clean it at least once a month with simple cleaning agents such as vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap.

Can You Put Ice Cubes Down The Garbage Disposal?

Fittingly, yes… you can! As long as you're using a top-notch brand, adding a few ice cubes can help sharpen the blades in order to ensure that any food debris or waste can get processed more efficiently.

How Can I Tell When The Garbage Disposal Needs To Be Replaced?

If you've been using your garbage disposal for a few years now and it's beginning to make strange noises when you run it, or it's become unresponsive to your commands, then it could be a sign that you need to get it replaced. By getting a replacement from one of our Abacus plumbers, you will be able to enjoy a high-performance, energy-efficient garbage disposal system that is sure to last for many years to come.

The Final Word

We hope that this article has helped to answer your questions about sink garbage disposal and how to maintain it. Ultimately, if you've got an issue with your unit that you can't fix yourself, then the best option would be to get in touch with one of our experienced Abacus plumbers. They'll be more than happy to help.

Sink Garbage Disposal

Waste Disposal

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