There is no kitchen convenience quite like a good garbage disposal. But when a garbage disposal goes wrong, it can be a really bad situation. A pile of dirty dishes soaking in foul water is not what you want. To avoid problems, use your garbage disposal properly, keep it clean, and know when to call a professional for help.
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Things that the homeowner can do to keep a garbage disposal working well are:
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1. Watch the fiber.
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Large quantities of very tough and fibrous things like celery stalks, artichoke leaves, or corn husks are better put in the garbage and not through the disposal unit.
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2. Be careful about fat.
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Don’t put loads of fat or oil through the disposal. Especially in combination with excess fiber, fat can make a really stubborn clog that may require a plumber to clear.
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3. Cleaning helps.
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By keeping the bad stuff out of your disposal you go a long way toward keeping it clean. You can also use some baking soda, followed by a little how water, to freshen the drain.
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Proper usage of the garbage disposal should prevent serious problems from developing. But if things go wrong, don’t panic. Call on your local plumbing contractor. They will be able to deal with any garbage disposal problem. Your plumbing professional will help you, whether you have a current emergency or need to plan an installation that will keep an emergency from developing.