The first garbage disposals came to market in 1935, and many homeowners have sworn by them ever since. Just as many of us have something of a love-hate relationship with them since there seem to be as many things you shouldn’t put down disposal as things you can. But whether you need a garbage disposal installation or repair, Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help just as we do with many other home plumbing repairs and installations.
How a Garbage Disposal Works
A garbage disposal is a bit like your mouth. It uses an electric motor to spin sharp blades at very high speeds, “chewing” food waste to a size small enough to go down the drain safely. After that, it passes to the sewer or septic system for “digestion.” Simple, but effective!
Garbage Disposal Installation in Sacramento
A garbage disposal installation isn’t a job for the inexperienced. Because it involves your plumbing and electrical, there’s a lot that can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. So call a plumbing professional in Sacramento.
We find it’s best to install a garbage disposal with a new sink and new plumbing fixtures in homes that haven’t already had one. If, on the other hand, you’re replacing a garbage disposal (which you should do every ten years, on average), it’s typically a simpler installation.
Call an Ace Now for Your FREE Quote!
With nearly fifty years of experience, technicians who are on call around the clock, and the ability to handle your toughest plumbing and HVAC needs fast, why call anyone else? Get in touch with Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning today for a free estimate, and emergency plumbing and HVAC service available 24/7/365!
Garbage Disposal Repairs
There are more common garbage disposal problems than you might realize.
My Garbage Disposal Isn’t Doing Anything
Look under the sink if you try to dispose of some stray food and nothing happens. That’s usually where the emergency shutoff is, and if it’s cluttered down there, it’s not uncommon for something to bump up against the switch and turn it off. Call us if that switch is in the “on” position and you still have no luck.
Leaky Garbage Disposal
Anything that handles water can develop leaks, and your garbage disposal is no exception. If you notice a leak, don’t wait to get it fixed; unaddressed leaks can lead to problems ranging from mold and mildew growth to damage to your cabinets and floors!
A Low Hum, But No Disposal
Sometimes you’ll activate the garbage disposal and hear the hum of the motor, but you find that it’s not grinding the food. Don’t keep the motor on; continuing to use it can burn it out, leading to an even more expensive repair.
Clogs and Jams
Some things simply shouldn’t go down the disposal. But even when you’re diligent, things still build up. Just like a drain without garbage disposal needs drain cleaning or unclogging now and then, so does your disposal.
A Trapped Object
We’ve all lost a utensil, a kitchen gadget, or the occasional piece of jewelry down the disposal. If that happens, do not try to reach in and retrieve the object. Shut off the power and use a pair of tongs or a wooden spoon to fish it out. If that doesn’t work or is stuck in the p-trap, call us.
Smelly Water
When you turn on the tap and the water seems to have a strange smell, be sure it’s not your water. A disposal with a lot of built-up grease and gunk will smell, too, so it may just need a proper cleaning. You can use a product designed for garbage disposals or use vinegar chased by baking soda and hot tap water. Tougher jobs may call for professional drain clearing and cleaning.
Call an Ace Now for Your FREE Quote!
With nearly fifty years of experience, technicians who are on call around the clock, and the ability to handle your toughest plumbing and HVAC needs fast, why call anyone else? Get in touch with Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning today for a free estimate, and emergency plumbing and HVAC service available 24/7/365!
Keeping Your Garbage Disposal “Healthy”
Just as there are things that should never be flushed, there’s a long list of things that should never go down your garbage disposal if you want to keep it in proper working order.
- Starchy foods, like rice, potatoes, beans, or even potato peels, eventually turn into a paste that clogs the disposal.
- Grainy foods, like coffee, seeds, pits, and yes, grains. They can cause damage to the blades.
- Fibrous foods like onions, celery, and asparagus can get tangled in the disposal. So can corn husks and banana peels.
- Liquids that are hot or caustic cause damage too. Avoid putting caustic cleaning products down the drain, and if you must put boiling water down the drain — a pot is overflowing, or you’re draining your pasta — turn the cold water on first, and leave it running for a few seconds so that it keeps the disposal cool.
Schedule Disposal Service
Call us to schedule an appointment for your garbage disposal repair. We will do our best to set the appointment for the time that is most convenient for you.