garbage-disposal-repair-plumber-fort-worth

Garbage Disposal Repair| Plumber Fort Worth

If you need garbage disposal repair or replacement, the following can assist you in determining which is right for your situation. A Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth can provide the assistance you require.

Garbage Disposal Clogs

A  humming noise without grinding, or no noise at all may indicate a jam. Most homeowner’s can clear a jam themselves without calling a plumber in Fort Worth. However, if you don’t feel up to the job, our plumbers will be glad to assist you. Use the following general instructions to clear a jam:

  1. Turn the power to the appliance off by unplugging it, or shutting it off in the home’s electrical panel. If you aren’t certain it’s shut off, contact a plumber in Fort Worth to remove the jam.
  2. Use a flashlight to look inside the disposal for a visible blockage. Never place your hand or fingers inside the disposal at any time. Use tongs, long needle nose pliers or a similar tool to remove visible jams or objects.
  3. If you don’t see a blockage, or are unable to remove it, use the tool provided with the disposal or an Allen wrench inserted into the hole on the bottom of the disposal. Work the tool back and forth in both directions until the blades move freely in both directions.
  4. Plug in the appliance, and press the reset button, also located on the bottom of the disposal.
  5. Turn on the water, and then the disposal. If the appliance is still jammed, repeat the process until the blades move freely in both directions. If the appliance won’t work after removing the jam, and the blades move freely, it’s likely you need a new disposal. Contact a Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth who will check the disposal, and can provide replacement if required.

When the garbage disposal is experiencing a growing number of problems, it may indicate it’s time for a replacement. A Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth can determine if the disposal needs repair, or if it’s time to replace it. The following may indicate the need for replacement:

  • Frequent jamming with recommended use can indicate wear and the need for replacement. Improper use reduces the lifespan of the appliance, and is likely to cause damage as well as wear.  The proper use includes disposing of approved food items in just a few small pieces slowly, and running cold water before, during and after use is essential for its long term use. Refer to your owner’s manual for detailed information.
  • It’s common for the need to press the reset button after clogs or heavy use. However, when you seem to be resetting the unit more than is normal, the motor may be worn.
  • A leaking garbage disposal can often be repaired by tightening connections or replacing O-rings. However,  other leaks may be costly to repair, and the cost effective solution may be contacting a plumber in Fort Worth for replacement of the existing disposal. This is especially true for disposals 10 years old or older.

Garbage Disposal Installation

If you have never had a disposal before, you will need to decide between a continuous feed and batch feed types.

The majority of homeowner’s select a continuous feed because they’re the easiest to use. The continuous feed disposal is open mouthed and turns on and off with a wall switch. The food is dropped into the disposal with the water running, and turned on until the food is ground up and flushed away.

Batch feed disposals require the food waste to be placed into a hopper, and the lid closed to activate the grinder. While it’s the safest disposal, it’s the more costly option.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips:

  • Maintain a clean garbage disposal by occasionally running cold water and dish soap in it and allow it to run for a minute.
  • Run a steady flow of cold water before and during the grinding of food in the disposal. Allow the water to continue to run for at least 20 seconds after grinding is complete to flush food debris from the disposal and the drain.
  • You can grind small, cut up citrus peels such as lemon, lime and orange for a fresh scent. An alternative is to freeze white vinegar in an ice tray and grind them in the disposal to clean, deodorize and kill bacteria.
  • Cut large pieces of food into small pieces to prevent damage and jamming of the disposal. Only place one to two pieces in the unit at one time.
  • Never place non-food items into the disposal. Paper, meat trays, metal, plastic or glass should placed in the trash, and not the disposal. Doing so is  likely to cause damage requiring the service of a plumber in Fort Worth.
  • Grease, oil, and fats can cling to disposal blades and clog the drain. Allow it to cool down and place in a sealed container in the trash.
  • Grinding fibrous food waste such as celery stalks, corn husks, onion skins, greens and artichokes are almost certain to cause a jam and potential damage requiring  garbage disposal repair by a plumber in Fort Worth.
  • Pasta and rice create a starchy mush in the disposal that can cause clogs.
  • Bones, fruit pits and other hard items can cause damage to the blades and the disposal. Dispose of them in the trash.
  • Contrary to the belief that coffee grounds can clean a drain, they actually cause drain clogs. Use them instead in flower beds or composting, benefiting your plants while preventing clogs. When your drains need cleaning, contact a Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth.
  • Never use harsh chemicals such as bleach or drain cleaners in the disposal to avoid damage. If the disposal needs serious cleaning, purchase garbage disposal cleaner.

When you need garbage disposal replacement, garbage disposal repair, or installation in a new build, contact a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth for reliable service. In addition, our plumbers offer a broad range of plumbing services, backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our licensed plumbers have the expertise to ensure professional services you can rely on time after time. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.