Garbage Disposal Installation

The first garbage disposal was invented in 1927, but it wasn’t made available to the general public until 1940. It still took nearly three more decades for this kitchen appliance to become a mainstay in many homes. As of 2009, over fifty percent of all households in the United States have a garbage disposal. Since ten to twenty percent of all household waste is food waste, garbage disposals significantly reduce the amount of waste headed to the landfills and out of your garbage can.

A garbage disposal can be a valuable addition to any kitchen. Call us at Liberty Plumbing and Septic to get a professional installation done.

Types of Garbage Disposals

There are basically three types of garbage disposals. The first is a continuous feed disposal. This is the most common in homes today. It allows waste to be fed into the disposal as long as water is running. A switch is usually located on the counter or the sink. The second type is a batch feed disposal. Waste and water are placed into the disposal and the cover is secured. Only then will the disposal work. There is no switch to flip, making this a good choice for homes with children. Finally, a septic tank disposal is a type of continuous feed; however, there are cartridges that break down the waste. These are best for septic systems, but the cartridges must be replaced every three to six months.

Usage and Care of a Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is quite easy to use; however, there are a few tips that can extend the life of this kitchen appliance. For example, always use cold water with the disposal. This will keep food particles from liquefying and sticking to the blades. Avoid vegetables with fibers, such as artichokes or celery sticks, and foods with high starch content, such as potato peelings. Seeds from apples, peaches, or popcorn can dull the blades or even cause the appliance to jam. If there are unpleasant odors emanating from the garbage disposal, you can dump a half a cup of baking soda or a handful of citrus peels in it. Always run the water for a few moments after the waste is gone to ensure that there is no food waste left on the blades. To sharpen the blades, add ice cubes or eggshells.

Installation and Maintenance

The installation of a garbage disposal should only be done by a qualified plumber. There are a number of considerations, involving both the plumbing and electrical systems. If the garbage disposal is not installed correctly, serious injury could result. While most disposals have a reset button located on the bottom of the disposal, if this button does not take care of stuck blades, you should contact a qualified plumber to assess the situation. Sticking your hand down inside the disposal is never recommended.