It’s Almost Thanksgiving: Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Functional Garbage Disposal.
Thanksgiving is here, and everything looks great, except maybe the kitchen. Bowls and utensils are piled high in the sink, and someone spilled cranberry sauce all over the floor.
It may look like a wreck, but at least this family can get rid of the food residue down the drain with the help of the ever convenient garbage disposal.
An Ounce of Prevention: Clogged Drains and Garbage Disposals
Any home’s drainage system is an intricate network of various pipes that remove wastewater from the home and take it either to a septic tank or to the local sewer system and then to wastewater treatment. Though people associate all this with the bathroom, the kitchen plumbing is likewise connected to the system.
The addition of a garbage disposal to the kitchen sink plumbing can help prevent clogs and keep a home’s drains flowing freely. Garbage disposals use rotating blades to shred food trash into minuscule pieces, allowing these already biodegradable materials to be easily flushed down the pipes.
Disposal Maintenance
As is true with other appliances, one should take care of garbage disposals to keep them in excellent condition. Here are a few tips on how to best maintain a home garbage disposal:
Use Often: Even if nothing needs ground up, running the disposal every couple of days helps flush it and keep it clean. Remember to flush it with generous amounts of water.
Avoid Certain Foods: Potato peelings, banana peels, and other starches can seriously clog up the works of a garbage disposal and lead to buildup in the pipes and eventual blockage.
Avoid Chemical Drain Openers: If things seem to be running slowly, don’t reach for that bottle of chemicals. It can cause serious damage to the appliance as it attacks everything in its path, not just the clog. This can lead to corrosion, leaks, or worse.
Clean Regularly: Throwing a citrus peel and ice cubes to grind works to clean and deodorize the disposal. A baking soda and vinegar combination is also an effective cleaner.
Symptoms of a Broken Disposal
Even the most meticulously maintained appliance cannot continue to work forever. No matter how careful a homeowner may be, garbage disposal services will at some point be required. Listed below are a few signs that indicate the need for garbage disposal repair or new garbage disposal installation.
It won’t turn on.
It is making horrible high-pitched whining or grinding noises.
It leaks water.
It often needs to be reset.
There is a foul persistent odor.
There are inexplicable backups, clogs, or slow draining in the kitchen sink.
About A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
Family-owned and operated A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc. has served the Murphysboro, IL area since 2005. Their friendly and knowledgeable techs provide same-day service when possible and fast turnaround times. Call today for all commercial and residential plumbing needs.
"Excellent customer service, the people were very happy to help and friendly...They got here within an hour or so and took care of the problem without any inconvenience. They performed their job quick and were in and out. I'd recommend to anybody in the Southern Illinois area."
Jada W.
"Good group of folks over there always helpful, and friendly. Fast service on all calls."
Travis S.
"The service person was on time, courteous and got the problem fixed in a timely manner! Would highly recommend A & W for all your plumbing and heating needs or problems!"
Taylor W.
"Prompt, professional service to detect and repair a water leak in our home. This is one of the best service call experiences we have had in years! They are on my list of "go-to" repair services. I would recommend them to everyone!!"
Susan W.
"I have had toilet and shower problems since Southern Illinois, and the workers at A & W Plumbing came and fixed it almost immediately for a great price. All seemed very experienced and worked quickly."
Jackson S.
"The service person was on time, friendly and got my problem fixed quicker than any plumbing service i've used before. I would use A & W again in a heart beat and highly recommend this company to others."
Plumbing emergencies rarely wait until morning to strike. That’s why A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc. is available to answer your calls and dispatch technicians at all times. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Certified Technicians
Our technicians are fully certified and licensed to work in your home or business. Rest assured that any repairs or installations you need will be completed safely and to code the first time around!
Satisfaction Guarantee
At A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc., we believe in providing services that are done right the first time. We guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with our work, or we’ll come out and fix it at no additional charge to you.
)
)
)
