A garbage disposal can do a lot of things, including getting rid of – well, your garbage. But it can also damage your kitchen, particularly if it has a leak.
Leaks can occur from the top of the unit where it connects to the sink flange, at the dishwasher connection hose, or in the bottom of the unit itself. To spot a garbage disposal leak, turn it off and run water in the sink. A plumber for help with leak detection in Melbourne is useful because they can identify the cause and see how it affects the garbage disposal system.
Food Scraps Build Up in the Pipes
Even if your disposal is in good working condition, it’s still not designed to handle all of your kitchen waste. Certain foods can actually cause a lot of damage to your plumbing and disposal when they are sent down the drains.
The garbage disposal can be especially damaged by fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G). They may pour down the drain in liquid form, but they can quickly solidify and coat your sink pipe, leading to a clog. You should always keep a disposable container near the sink for F.O.G. and put it in the trash or recycling bin when it’s full.
Fibrous foods like asparagus, celery, and banana peels can also wrap around the blades of your disposal and make them difficult to spin. The same goes for nut shells and larger bones. It’s best to only put soft food scraps in your disposal and run plenty of cold water after each use to help them flow down the drain pipes.
The Disposal Gets Damaged
Garbage disposals help reduce the amount of trash we throw away, cut down on odors, and can keep food waste out of landfills. However, they’re not infallible. They may clog and leak, and they’ll eventually need to be replaced.
A leaking disposal typically means that internal seals have worn out. These can sometimes be repaired by resealing with a plumber’s putty, but in many cases they’ll need to be replaced completely.
The drain line to your disposal can also leak. This line usually clamps in place, but it can lose its seal over time (or it might loosen if someone is doing other plumbing work under the sink).
To inspect and fix these leaks, you’ll need to shut off power to your disposal. Remove any items that might obstruct your workspace and lay down towels to absorb any residual water. Loosen the pipe clamp on one end of this section of pipe, then remove it and replace it.
The Disposal Gets Dirty
It’s important to keep in mind that the disposal is not meant as a secondary trash can. Non-disposal-safe foods such as hard seeds (like peach pits), bones, egg shells and fibrous foods like celery stalks or artichoke leaves can dull the blades or get stuck in the drain lines.
It also helps to use cold water when running the disposal. Hot water causes grease to liquefy and create drain clogs.
A lingering bad smell coming from the sink is a telltale sign that there are food particles trapped in the disposal that need to be cleaned. If the odor is persistent, it may be time to replace the disposal.
While regular cleaning and monitoring what goes in the disposal can help prolong its life, replacing it at some point is inevitable. Depending on the age and condition of your disposal, you might be able to use home warranty coverage to make the purchase more affordable.
The Disposal Gets Old
Garbage disposals are hardy appliances, but they’re not indestructible. Over time, they’ll need to be replaced. A leaking disposal is often the first sign of this. You may see puddles under your sink or water pooling by the disposal itself.
Loud or rattling sounds from a garbage disposal are other indicators of trouble. These sounds can be caused by trapped materials or loose components that need to be tightened. It’s important to call a plumber for these problems. Attempting to solve these issues yourself can lead to further damage or even injury.
It’s also a good idea to replace your disposal when it starts making a lot of noise. This can signal that the motor is beginning to wear out. For a reliable replacement, consider Sepura, a composting disposal that sends all foods 3mm or larger into an under-sink bin. This eliminates the need for frequent resets and prevents clogs. It’s a smart way to save money on food waste and help the environment.