About Garbage Disposals

Your Garbage Disposal and How to Properly Maintain it

Any plumber will tell you that the name ‘garbage disposal’ is very misleading as to what their function is. They are not designed to be a “garbage can” for your sink. Rather, when clearing plates all food should be first thrown away in the trash. Period. Only the last little bit of liquid should be left on your dishes before rinsing them off in the sink. With that said, garbage disposals are permanently lubricated and self-cleaning. Use a steady flow of cold water and allow the unit to run long enough to do a thorough job of pulverizing the waste and flushing it through.

• NEVER Put these Down the Garbage Disposal: egg shells, coffee grounds, rice, peels of fruit or vegetables, meat products, or large chunks of ANYTHING!
• Check for Leaks: Regularly check under the sink for leaks or dampness. If there is a leak, use a pan to catch water drips until it can be repaired. Make repairs as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
• Tighten Pipes: Hand-tighten pipes only—do not use tools.
• Use Cold Water: Do not use hot water to flush waste. NEVER put grease down the sink. Throw it away in the trash. Grease going down the drain hardens and clogs your pipes.
• Restarting a Stopped Disposal: 1. Turn the disposal off and unplug the unit. 2. Remove all accessible waste from the disposal. 3. Wait one minute before pushing the RED reset button located on or near the bottom of the disposal. Refer to the manufacture’s documentation for location of the reset button. 4. Check the circuit breaker and reset, if necessary. 5. Plug the unit back in and turn the disposal switch to ON. If you hear a humming noise but the blades are not turning. Turn off the switch and unplug the unit. 6. Use the hex key that came with the garbage disposal to free the blades from obstruction. The key fits into a slot in the bottom center of the disposal. Insert the key in the slot and turn it back and forth. 7. Plug the unit back in. Torn on the disposal switch. IF the disposal fails to operate, call a qualified plumber for service. A jammed disposal is not covered under your Warranty.