Garbage Disposal | Plumber Fort Worth

A garbage disposal is a useful appliance in the kitchen if you operate it properly. If you are experiencing frequent jams in an otherwise normally operating disposal, chances are you are not using it correctly. The following are guidelines for proper use of a disposal, and when followed will assist in maintaining a functional appliance, rather than your clearing jams with every use. Contact a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth for garbage disposal repair, garbage disposal installation or replacement.

Proper Operation

Following these guidelines for proper use will ensure the function, and lifespan of a disposal:

• Always turn on the cold water before you turn on the disposal or place food in it. The cold water is essential in preventing the motor from overheating and flushes food away to reduce the likelihood of a clogged drain.
• Turn on the appliance.
• With both the water and the appliance running, gently place a few, small cut up pieces of food into the opening. Do not place large amounts of food into the disposal. If you have a large amount of food, place it in the trash.
• Leave the appliance and the cold water running until the grinding noise completely stops.
• Leave the water running 20 seconds longer to flush pulverized food down the drain.

Managing a Jam

Dislodge a jam by completing the following steps:

1. Disconnect the power from the appliance. If the appliance is hardwired into your home’s electrical system, shut off the breaker controlling the appliance in the home electrical panel. Try turning the disposal on (remember to turn the water on first) to ensure the power is off.
2. Locate the hex-shaped notch in the bottom of the appliance. Use the Allen wrench or the tool that came with the disposal, and insert the wrench into the notch, moving the tool back and forth to dislodge the jam until the blades move freely.
3. Reconnect the power.
4. Push the reset button.
5. Turn on the water and then the appliance.

If the disposal doesn’t work after completing these steps, repeat them once more. The blades rotating freely and not operating indicate the need to contact a Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth for repair or replacement.

Avoid These Items in the Disposal

There are foods and items that should never be placed in a disposal to avoid a clog and/or damage to the unit, resulting in a call to your plumber in Fort Worth:

• Fibrous items such as onion skins, banana peels, celery, artichokes, and greens
• Bones
• Eggshells, nuts, seeds, popcorn kernels or nut shells
• Starchy foods such as potato peelings, rice, or pasta
• Fats, grease, and oils
• Plastic, glass, metal, paper or foam meet trays

Cleaning

Clean and eliminate odors with the following methods:

Use citrus peels to provide a fresh scent to the disposal. In addition, the peels will also typically clean the disposal.

An additional method is to pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and 1 cup of white vinegar on top of it. The chemical reaction helps to loosen grime and sludge. Run the water 20 seconds or longer to thoroughly rinse the acidic vinegar away.

For general cleaning place a little dishwashing liquid into the disposal, then turn on the water followed by the disposal. However, if odor remains a consistent problem, it may be due to the need for professional drain cleaning by a plumber in Fort Worth.

A Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth provides professional expertise for the highest industry standards. Our licensed plumbers can provide the garbage disposal services you need. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.