Your garbage disposal may seem like it can grind up anything you please, but you should only grind up small debris. You want to protect the blades as much as possible to avoid wear and tear and a replacement.

When using your garbage disposal, you need to always run it with water to drain and break down the foods, otherwise, you may damage the blades. Most garbage disposals should last about 10 years, but that lifespan can be greatly reduced if you use it to grind up any of the banned items listed below.

Okay to put in your garbage disposal:

•  Most fruits and veggies: Your garbage disposal can easily handle most fruits and veggies. Avoid the items listed in the banned foods
• Wet pet food: Take care of your pet’s uneaten wet food by dumping it down the disposal!
• Meat scraps that are cooked: Avoid big chunks if you are dumping these down the disposal.
• Fruit rinds: Fruit rinds like oranges and lemons can help to clean your disposal and will leave it smelling fresh and citrusy!

Banned from your garbage disposal:

• Large Bones: The best way to quickly damage your disposal is with bones! Avoid them at all costs!
• Artichoke leaves: These leaves are known to jam disposals, throw them in the trash instead.
• Grease: This gooey disaster will clog your drains and back them up, disposal or not.
• Nuts: Grinding nuts up in your disposal will result in a sticky mess, like peanut butter.
• Fruit pits: Throw these in the trash! Banana peels: Like artichokes leaves and asparagus, these will jam your disposal.
• Corn husks: These can jam your disposal if you put too much in, just throw them in the trash!
• Rice and Pasta: Rice and pasta will expand in your drain and can create clogging issues.
• Asparagus: These are known the jam disposals like banana peels and artichoke leaves.

If you follow these rules above, your garbage disposal should last longer. Contact us today if you have any further questions!

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Manually Rotate Blades to Break Up Clog

If the clog is under the sink, you can try manually rotating the blades to break up the blockage. You will need an Allen wrench to do this. The manual operator is usually accessible along the base of the unit, on the outside. Look under your sink, find the manual operator, and turn with the Allen wrench. Your owner’s manual will have more information on how to safely turn the blades.

Unclog Garbage Disposal with Pliers

You should not pour chemicals down a garbage disposal, but you can use tools to clear a clog. To do this, shut off the power to the unit as a safety precaution. Next, reach into the drain with pliers and remove loose materials so you can inspect the blockage. Continue removing objects until clear. Never insert hands into the garbage disposal.

Clear Sludge and Debris from P-Trap

Excessive buildup in the P-trap can cause blockages in your garbage disposal. If this is the problem, find a bucket to catch debris in. Place it under the P-trap then unscrew the pipe. You may need to wiggle it to remove it from the trap arm and waste tee. Pull out debris and rinse the trap then replace.

If you prefer to hire a professional or none of these methods work, call Putman & Son’s Plumbing certified plumbers now to schedule an appointment for a garbage disposal repair or installation in Southeast Michigan.

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