East Troy Garbage Disposal Repair

While coffee grounds won't necessarily damage a garbage disposal, they should still not be thrown down one. Coffee grounds will clump together within the drain pipe past the disposal unit. The clumped up coffee grounds will clog up the pipes and cause blockages and in some instances water will back up into the sink. For this reason, coffee grounds should always be thrown out in the trash or compost pile and never thrown down the garbage disposal or drain.

While your garbage disposal may begin exhibiting clear signs that there is a problem with the system, you may be uncertain of the reason behind the breakdown. A faulty motor, loose or worn gaskets or seals, as well as issues with the grinder, flywheel, or impellers, can all cause a garbage disposal to stop working. Additionally, if the system is overloaded, it may impact the disposal’s ability to run properly. 

Another primary reason why garbage disposals stop working is because certain items have been tossed down the disposal, such as coffee grounds which are mentioned above, which can not be properly broken down leading to issues with the systems performance. 

What not to put in a garbage disposal:

• Grease and fats
• Onion skins
• Eggshells
• Potato peels
• Stickers from produce items
• Pasta, rice, oats, or other foods that expand when wet
• Fruit pits, nuts, meat bones, seafood shells, and other harder foods that can damage the blades
• Celery, corn husks, pumpkin, and other stringy or fibrous foods that can twist and get stuck around the disposal 

A malfunctioning garbage disposal is frustrating and inconvenient. Unfortunately, a garbage disposal that is not properly maintained is more likely to break down and wear out faster. If you want to maximize the life of your unit and minimize the need for repair, treat the disposal with care. Avoid overfilling the disposal and keep pasta, corn husks, potato skins, and other fibrous food waste out of the disposal.

Keep your garbage disposal in good shape by following a few simple maintenance tips:

• Use cold water when grinding food
• Run the water before, during, and after running the disposal
• Grind ice in the garbage disposal to help keep it clean
• Clean the unit with soapy water
• Put citrus peels through the disposal to prevent unpleasant odors

Caring for your garbage disposal will help it run more reliably, but problems can still happen. Any malfunction or performance issues should be dealt with immediately. If you notice a slow drain or the disposal taking longer to grind food waste, call to schedule repair to prevent bigger problems from developing.

Garbage disposals typically have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, depending on various factors such as usage frequency, maintenance, and the quality of the unit. With proper care and regular maintenance, a garbage disposal can last on the longer end of the spectrum. However, frequent misuse, neglect, or lack of maintenance can significantly reduce its lifespan.

Factors that can affect the longevity of a garbage disposal include overloading it with excessive food waste, disposing of non-food items, such as plastic or metal, into the unit, using harsh chemicals or grinding hard materials like bones or fibrous foods, and neglecting to clean and maintain the unit regularly.

Regular maintenance includes cleaning the unit to prevent buildup of food debris and using ice cubes or citrus peels to help clean the blades. Avoiding putting excessive strain on the motor by not overloading the unit and using cold water while running it can also help extend its lifespan.