Is Your Garbage Disposal Tired of the Daily Grind?

A garbage disposal is an amazing convenience, but like any appliance, it can break down. Especially if it’s been seeing a lot of use or you’ve been putting items in that you shouldn’t.

But how can you know if you need service or replacement for your garbage disposal? Here are some tips from the Brooklyn plumbing experts at Petri Plumbing & Heating.

Does it Smell Funky?

One of the top problems people have with their garbage disposals is that every now and then they start to have an odor. Most of the time, this isn’t cause for concern. Food particles sometimes get trapped in the disposal and decompose, emitting a foul smell.

Try running hot water through the disposal and letting the disposal run for 30-40 seconds. This should move the food on through. You could also fill the sink with hot water and soap, then pull the plug and turn the disposal on. If this doesn’t take care of the problem, you might need to call for service.

You can also avoid odors altogether by performing the tasks mentioned above as monthly maintenance.

Is it Struggling?

If your disposal is having a hard time doing its job or is draining slow, you probably need to call a plumber. If the disposal hums but doesn’t start or won’t turn on at all, that’s also an indication you need a plumber.

You can take steps to keep your garbage disposal in good working order, though. Make sure to put only soft, small pieces of food in the disposal. Never use the disposal for potato peels, banana peels, coffee grounds, corn husks or eggshells. Also, keep fats, oils and grease out of the disposal as much as possible.

At Petri Plumbing & Heating, we’re here to keep your home’s systems running well. If you’re experiencing problems with your garbage disposal that you can’t remedy yourself, just give us a call at (718) 748-1254 or contact Petri Plumbing online today.