Think of all the crap your garbage disposal takes from you. As plumbers, we may have a deeper appreciation for plumbing and all its fixtures, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show your garbage disposal a little love. If you need to have a garbage disposal installed or need us to give your current one a checkup, we’re always here to help.

Here are some tips to keep garbage disposals going strong:

Know What It Can Handle – First, never pour liquid grease or oil down the drain. That’s a recipe for disaster. Also, avoid putting anything in the disposal that it won’t be able to grind. This includes stringy waste like celery and banana peels and hard-to-grind food like chicken skin, potato peels, and carrots.

Let The Water Help – When using your garbage disposal, run the cold water for 15 seconds before and after using it, and throughout the time you’re using it. This will help flush away food particles and prevent them from clogging the line.

Give It a Cleaning – Cleaning your garbage disposal is a snap. Just toss some ice cubes into the disposal. It may sound like it’s damaging your unit but it is helping to wash and hone the blades. While that’s going on, pour a few drops of liquid dish soap to help remove any grease buildup. It also leaves the drain smelling lemony fresh (or whatever your favorite scent may be).

Until there’s an official “Garbage Disposal Appreciation Day” to put on the calendar, this is the best way we can show our garbage disposals how much we appreciate its hard work. And, please, let us know if we can be of service. If you’d like to schedule an appointment right now, fill out our online contact form.