A garbage disposal has a simple function: grinding food waste before it continues down the drain. That way, your pipes won’t get clogged and back up.
This machine’s construction, however, is anything but simple. It has two chambers and numerous moving parts, all powered by an insulated electric motor.
Given how vital this appliance is to your plumbing system, you’ll want to maximize its lifespan. But how can you do that? And how can you tell when it’s time for a new disposal?
Key Takeways
- Garbage disposals typically last for 8 to 15 years.
- Persistent odors, strange noises, and frequent clogs are signs that a disposal should be replaced.
- Proper usage and regular cleaning can lengthen a disposal’s life.
- When a qualified professional replaces your disposal, you can be sure that it’s safe to use.
How Long Do Garbage Disposals Last?
For a family of four or five people, a well-maintained, modern-day disposal should last for about 12 years. To be a little more specific, its average lifespan is 8 to 15 years.
However, various factors can affect this life expectancy.
For example, certain food items can damage a disposal. And then it might last only a few years — or maybe just a few months! A list of items to keep out of a disposal would include bones, grease, fats, oils, seeds, shells, nuts, and fibrous foods. (Check your owner’s manual for more!)
Signs Your Disposal Must Be Replaced
Of course, if you keep turning on your disposal and nothing happens, it’s probably time for a new one. Other signs that a disposal is kaput are:
- Sink backups or clogs
- Bad odors coming from your kitchen drain
- Leaks or water puddles under your disposal
- Rattling or grinding noises
- Finding yourself pressing the reset button (which restores power after a shutdown) more often
How to Extend the Life of a Disposal
Fortunately, there are some easy ways to take care of your disposal and make it last for as long as possible.
Boiling Water
When you pour boiling water into your disposal once a month, it should flush away any particles stuck to the blades.
Cold Water
Apart from that monthly boiling water, give your disposal cold water all the time. Cold water stiffens food particles, making them easier to grind.
By contrast, hot water makes food waste mushy. It then sticks to the disposal, potentially causing damage over time.
Ice Cubes
Try dropping one or two ice cubes into your disposal — while it’s running — once a week. The ice will help eliminate any interior food buildup.
Waiting to Turn It Off
If you listen to your disposal as it’s working, you can tell when it’s finished grinding food.
However, don’t shut your disposal off the moment it sounds empty. Instead, keep it running for another 60 seconds. And keep the cold water flowing, too. That way, the machine will get the chance to remove even the smallest bits of food.
Tiny Food Waste
Everything that goes into your disposal should be small — really small. That is, each morsel should be 2 millimeters in diameter or less.
Larger food scraps should be chopped up or should stay out of your disposal altogether. Otherwise, this poor appliance will overwork itself.
Daily Usage
To stay in shape, a disposal must run regularly — ideally, every day. When a disposal works consistently, it stays lubricated, and you can prevent clogging and rusting.
Thus, on days when you don’t need to use this device, use it anyway. First, turn on the cold water, and then turn on your disposal. And let it run — with no food waste — for at least 15 seconds.
DIY Repairs vs. Professional Help
What should you do if your disposal isn’t working properly? Most likely, your best bet would be replacing it immediately.
However, maybe your disposal is fairly new, and you’d rather not buy a new one anytime soon. In that case, you could call a professional for garbage disposal repair.
Some people are tempted to fix their garbage disposals themselves. But such repairs are best left to the pros. Because garbage disposals are so complicated, it’s easy to misdiagnose an issue or make a problem worse.
Moreover, it’s easy to injure yourself when you’re attempting garbage disposal repair. You could suffer an electric shock or cut yourself on a blade, to name just two hazards.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Garbage disposal installations are complex, sometimes dangerous, and surprisingly difficult for anyone who lacks training and expertise.
Indeed, if you tried to install your own disposal, it could start leaking, leading to mold growth and water damage. You could face electricity-related risks, too.
Plus, without a proper installation, you could void your warranty. Therefore, if this machine stopped working, you’d forfeit a free professional repair job.
On the other hand, getting your garbage disposal installed by a professional could save you time, labor, and frustration. And your disposal would meet all applicable building codes and safety regulations. Best of all, you’d enjoy true safety — and true peace of mind as well.
Service Minds Benjamin Franklin: Always Here to Help
Do you live in Bradenton, Fla.? And are you experiencing issues with your disposal?
If so, you could schedule an appointment with Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing at any time.
Our Punctual Plumbers — famous for their snappy uniforms and friendly dispositions — could examine your disposal, identify the problem, review all of your options, and answer all of your questions. They could then provide you with repairs or a replacement.
In the end, our Punctual Plumbers ensure that every garbage disposal is as reliable, safe, and energy-efficient as it could be. After all, getting rid of food waste shouldn’t waste time, electricity, or money.