The Garbage Disposal Could Be Clogging Your Kitchen Sink

A functioning garbage disposal makes kitchen cleaning easy and quick. However, this appliance can be a source of clogs if it’s used improperly. A clogged kitchen sink can turn daily tasks like meal preparation and cleaning dishes into cumbersome chores. It’s advisable to use your garbage disposal properly and know when to call a plumber specializing in garbage disposal repair.

The team at Neighborhood Plumbing specializes in garbage disposal installation and repair. We know what goes into keeping these appliances working properly. Let’s look at some of the practices that can clog the kitchen sink.

Know What Not To Put Down the Garbage Disposal

Avoid putting fibrous foods, starchy items, grease, oils, coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, fruit pits, nuts, and expandable foods down the garbage disposal. These can wrap around blades, create sticky pastes, solidify in pipes, or damage the appliance. Never put non-food items like plastic, metal, or paper in the disposal.

Not Running Enough Cold Water

While it may seem counterintuitive, hot water should not be used when grinding food waste. Hot water spreads fats, oils, and grease throughout the appliance and the drainpipe. When they cool, they solidify and stick to the interior surfaces, causing clogs. It’s advisable to run enough cold water while grinding to solidify fats, oils, and grease, making them easier for the disposal to grind. This is a simple practice that can keep your garbage disposal in good working order and clog-free.

Running the Disposal Dry

This is one of the common mistakes homeowners make when operating a garbage disposal. Running the appliance without enough water prevents food waste from being properly flushed down the drain. This increases the risk of clogs and contributes to inefficient grinding. You should run cold water while grinding to flush food particles and debris down the drain and prevent them from sticking to the disposal’s interior.

Feeding Food Scraps Too Quickly

If you’ve read your garbage disposal’s instruction manual, you already know that the appliance works best when grinding small amounts of food scraps. Stuffing too much food into the disposal at once can overwhelm the appliance and cause it to jam. Always resist the urge to overload the grinding chamber, and you’ll reduce the risk of jamming or damaging your garbage disposal.

However, there are other causes of a jammed garbage disposal. Mechanical issues such as broken blades, a faulty motor, or worn-down grinding rings can cause the appliance to stop working. Also, non-food items lodged in the disposal can prevent the blades from turning. If your garbage disposal makes no sound at all when you flip the switch or produces a humming sound, it means the appliance is jammed. Get in touch with a local plumbing repair service for garbage disposal repair. You should never attempt to repair a faulty garbage disposal if you’re not a professional plumber.

How To Unclog Kitchen Sink With Garbage Disposal

There are several methods that you can use to unclog a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal. If the cause of the clog is a foreign object lodged in the drainpipe, use pliers or a pair of tongs to retrieve the object. For clogs caused by food waste, use a plunger, a drain snake, or a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to clear the obstruction. If the clog persists, call a skilled plumber in Adams Township, PA for drain cleaning.

Need Kitchen Sink Repair Or Garbage Disposal Repair? Call Neighborhood Plumbing

Neighborhood Plumbing is the company to call when you need professional help with unclogging a kitchen sink and kitchen sink repair. Our skilled plumbers have the expertise and experience to clear even the most stubborn clogs and fix kitchen sink problems. We are one phone call away when you need professional plumbing services.