×
×

How to Buy, Sell and Repair a Garbage Disposal

Tips for Garbage Disposal Units

Food waste is unsightly, unsanitary and smelly, no matter how well your trash cans may trap the mess. To prevent odors and the other downfalls of food waste in the kitchen, you may want to consider installing a garbage disposal unit. Relatively easy to install and maintain, garbage disposals are an easy way to make your kitchen a cleaner place and can be a convenient addition to your home.

Choosing a Garbage Disposal

There are a few things to think about when choosing a garbage disposal. To increase the odds of a long life span with few problems, choose a disposal with stainless steel blades or metal parts made of some other corrosion-proof material.

You can also choose between continuous feed models and batch feed models. Continuous feed models are operated by an on/off switch on the wall, whereas batch feed models are operated by inserted a lid with a twist handle. This model is safer but can only process one batch of food waste at a time, making it a less popular choice. An InSinkErator garbage disposal might be a wise choice, as they are the best-selling brand of disposal on the market and are known for being easy to install.

Installing a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposal installation can be a do-it-yourself project if you're working with a sink that is already wired for a garbage disposal. If there's never been a disposal in your sink, you will need to hire an electrician to install a switch and run a wire before you can get started.

Fixing Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposal motors are generally reliable, but they occasionally need maintenance. When it comes to garbage disposal repair, the only problem you're likely to encounter with your disposal is a clog. A clogged garbage disposal can be fixed fairly easily. To unclog a garbage disposal, try unscrewing the pipe beneath the sink and removing the clogged material. To minimize the likelihood of clogs and to prevent odd smells, you can also routinely use a drain cleaner. Before attempting to fix a broken garbage disposal, make sure you turn off the power, especially if you may need to reach down into the working parts of the apparatus.

Along with a trash compactor, a garbage disposal unit is one of the best time-savers you can install in your home. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the different brands and features to get the model that best suits your needs.

You May Also Like