Garbage Disposals

Since it is a motor-driven device that vigorously vibrates, sometimes the joints around the interconnecting plumbing and bracketry can loosen and either water leaks become visible or occasionally the mounting and support rings corrode. When these things happen, it is important to take corrective action.

There are a number of garbage disposal brands available on the market in sizes to suit light duty and heavy duty applications. Prices can range between $50.00 and $150 for residential use depending on what capacity is desired.  When replacing an existing garbage disposal it is a matter of writing down the brand, model number, and motor size off of the old one and making a trip to the local home supplies store. 

If you are installing a disposal in your home for the first time it is important to know what local ordinances might affect how the installation is to be made. For example, it may be that a dishwasher drain hose must be routed through an air gap before entering the disposal. In some areas the sewage system cannot handle the added load of disposal wastes altogether, and a ban has been placed on them.

If you have a garbage disposal perhaps you have already discovered the “rights and wrongs” of operation, but it pays to know there are certain food items that are best placed in the trash. The absolute worst food to put down a disposal is pasta. Why?  It expands and hangs up at low points and bends in the drain even though you continue to run water through it.  Two other bad choices are celery because of its “stringiness,” and surprisingly lettuce for the same reason.