Get Rid of Your Garbage Disposal Troubles

A leaky garbage disposal is a common occurrence in many households. Leaks aren't only dangerous but can cause damage to the area underneath your sink and an unwanted odor as well. In this regard, it is extremely important for a homeowner to understand how to safely operate, clean and fix their garbage disposal.

The Workings of a Garbage Disposal System

Like any other unit, a disposal system is made up of different parts. As a whole, the garbage disposal unit is mounted with sharp blades whose core function is severing wastes until they become sufficiently small to pass through small holes that are located at the bottom end of the system. However, the following disposal parts are the most important parts to look out for when your disposal is not performing correctly.

a) Sink Plug or Rubber Guard

Manufacturers often produce two kinds of garbage disposal units. There are continuous feed and the batch feed. The difference lies on how they are turned on. Those that are continuously fed often have a rubber guard at the sink’s lowermost part. When food is passed via the rubber guard to the disposal, the user will need to turn a switch mounted on the wall in order for him or her to switch the disposal on.

b) The Sink Flange

On all units, there is a metallic bracket, which clamps the disposal to the sink. This prevents the entire unit from toppling over during its operation.

c) The body is basically the exterior metal housing that holds the entire unit in place.

d) Impeller blades are the sharp metal objects that spin at high speed, chopping the food wastes in the process.

e) The electric motor is located at the base of the garbage disposal unit.
This part forms the core of the entire unit because it causes the impeller blades to gyrate and break down the wastes.

Fixing a Disposal Leak

All garbage disposal units are mounted with standard hook-ups regardless of their manufacturer. They also have a point of entry and a discharge point. There is also a dishwasher influx point on the sides of the units.

These areas may develop a leak. Normally, if the leak does stem from the body, the entire unit has to be replaced because this is irreparable. However, leaks on other parts of the system can be easily repaired by the owner.

All garbage disposal units are mounted with standard hook-ups regardless of their manufacturer.

a) Precautions

When using the disposal unit, it is important to observe certain practices, which go a long way in ensuring the safety of users and ultimately, the longevity of the system.

To enhance the lifespan of the unit, users are often advised to run cold water through the system before and after grinding the wastes.

Cold water helps maintain fats in solid form thus preventing them from clogging up the pipes. In addition, it prevents wear and tear by keeping the motor cool while it runs.

Only food items that are soft should be put in the disposer. Hardy items such as bones can damage the blades and thus need to be dumped elsewhere.

Egg shells and wastes that are fibrous should also not be put in the disposal. Only food wastes that are biodegradable should be put in the system.

Operators should avoid putting their hands in the unit whether it is turned on or not. The sharp blades located within the system are dangerous and can cause severe injuries even when the motor is turned off.

It is not advisable to use bleaching agents and similar chemicals to clean the disposer. It is normal for your disposal to have a slight odor but there are a few ways that can eliminate the smell apart from using bleach. This includes the use of baking soda, lemon peels or vinegar.

The garbage disposal should not be overfilled because this creates an unnecessary force on the system's parts, causing them to wear down. Such a situation often affects the motor most.

This can cause the entire unit to break down. Users should avoid turning off the system while wastes are still being shredded.

Before turning it off, it is prudent to ensure that all the shredding has been completed. Cold water ought to be run through the system for about half a minute to ensure that all particles are flushed out.

b) Inspect for Possible Cracks

This is done by wiping off the entire system with a piece of dry rag. Water should then be run through the system and again, after the system is turned back on. Under normal circumstances, there are only four places where cracks might occur.

These areas include the drain pipe, the optical dishwasher entry point, the main seal at the top of the unit and the disposal body. Particular interest should be paid to these areas so that any cracks which lie within can be detected.

In the event that the system is wet at the top, the main seal could be the one with a crack. If the region below the drain conduit is wet, one should check if there are cracks on the hose or the clamp.

In some instances, where there is water dripping from the bottom of the disposal unit, yet the entry and drainage points are dry, there is a possibility that the unit itself has a crack and therefore, need to be replaced.

Most garbage disposal units experience leaks at points where drain pipes meet. There are two connections visible on the sides of all garbage disposal units.

The smaller conduit enables the dishwasher to drain wastes into the disposal. A much larger conduit, which is located at a lower position, is meant for draining out the shredded wastes into the sewerage unit. With continued usage, these pipes may eventually become loose.

However, this situation can be fixed by tightening or resealing the connections.

The dishwasher is usually connected to the disposal unit via a metal clamp. This connection can also be tightened using a screwdriver in case there is a leak. Also, there is the main drain pipe, which is connected with fasteners. It also has an elastic lining inside, which wears out over time.

To prevent leakages, the lining should be replaced and the screws tightened regularly.

If found the advice above helpful but still are in need of assistance, the plumbing professionals at Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service, Inc. are here to help all residents of the Evansville, IN area. Give us a call today at (812) 618-9638.