Garbage disposals typically have a life span of eight to twelve years, depending on how often they are cleaned and meticulously maintained. If your garbage disposal is constantly grinding waste material not designed to be disposed of, you might need to replace it sooner than planned. Always run cold water when disposing of food waste to prevent your unit from jamming, overheating, or breaking down. Avoid using your system for heavily fibrous or hard materials. If you suspect your garbage disposal has taken any of these undesirable items down its grinding mechanism, don’t panic. Try flushing it with cold water or ice cubes, then turn it off and press the reset button, usually found on the side or the bottom of the unit. If this doesn’t solve the problem, give us a call or request a service appointment online. We will dispatch a professional to assess your unit and recommend the appropriate repair or replacement solution.
You can keep your newly installed garbage disposal running smoothly by cleaning it weekly with ice cubes and citrus peels. Simply place these into the unit from the kitchen sink like you would dispose of any food waste, and turn the disposal on while running cold water. Regular cleaning keeps blades clean and helps remove any built-up food waste that can lead to clogs or jammed blades. Ensure your family members and house guests know which materials are safe for garbage disposal and which food waste items should be discarded into the trash or compost.