Garbage Disposal Repair and Tips
For garbage disposal repair service or free advice give us a call (858) 353-9901
How a garbage disposal works:
The garbage disposal uses a spinning impeller blade to force debris into the blades along the side. As it spins, it grinds the debris through the blades into particles that can easily be flushed through the drain. The disposer relies on lots of water to turn the food bits into a slurry that can be easy flushed through the drain.
WARNING! Please read our safety information before attempting any testing, maintenance or repairs.
Before beginning work on the garbage disposer, unplug it or shut off the power at the fuse box or circuit breaker panel to avoid unexpected operation or an electrical shock hazard.
The garbage disposal is not efficent at grinding fibrous foods like banana peels, celery, artichokes and corn husks. Fibrous foods do not grind into particles so much as strings, which tend to jam the disposer and clog the drain.
The disposal is mounted directly under the sink. The water from the sink runs through it to the "P" trap. The "P" trap's purpose is to hold a plug of water between the sink and sewer line under your home. Without the plug of water, sewer gas could flow through the sewer line and into your home.
If you have a double sink, the second sink's drain usually bypasses the garbage disposal and connects directly to the drain line just before the "P" trap.
If you have a dishwasher, typically the drain line from the appliance connects to an upside-down "Y" connector. The "Y" connector connects to an air gap above the sink. The air gap is vital to prevent a suction from occurring which could draw sewage into the dishwasher. If siphoning occurs, air is pulled in through the air gap rather than water from the waste line.
Ordinarily water runs from the dishwasher to the "Y" connector and into the disposal above the blade so debris from the dishwasher can be ground if necessary.
Garbage Disposer Tips:
Do:
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Do run cold water while grinding waste
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Do grind lemon or orange peels to eliminate odors
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Do let water and disposer run for several seconds after grinding is complete
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Do grind ice to clean the blades and impeller
Don't:
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Don't reach into the disposer with your hand, use tongs and only when the unit is unplugged
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Don't grind fibrous foods like corn husks,artichokes, banana peels or celery
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Don't operate the disposer without running water
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Don't use hot water for grinding, it melts fats which later may clog the drain.
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Don't grind coffee grounds, they aren't a problem for the dipsoser but they build up in the pipes.
California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings in this web site. All information is provided as-is. User assumes all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.
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