Ice cubes can be crushed in a garbage disposal to sharpen the blades.
Many people have problems with their garbage disposal from time to time. Some of the more common problems include blockages and jams. Other waste disposal problems include dull blades and leaks. Using proper maintenance techniques will often prevent many problems from occurring.
One of the most common garbage disposal problems is a clogged or clogged unit. A homeowner will know a unit is in trouble if it drains slowly, causing dirty water to flow back into the sink. People who are confident in their plumbing skills can try to remedy the situation on their own. In general, the power must first be turned off at the circuit breaker. The unit must then be disassembled, exposing the jam or obstruction. In some cases, a plumbing drill can be used to unclog a particularly clogged unit.
Sink disposals can become clogged.
In some cases, it may not be necessary to completely unmount the drive. In these cases, the obstruction or congestion may be visible in bright light. The person can then simply turn off the circuit breaker to avoid any risk of injury, and using scissors, pliers, or another tool, remove the material that is causing the jam or obstruction. Sometimes garbage collection problems are as easy as removing a piece of silver or a thick steak bone from the disposal area.
Another common waste disposal problem is that the unit no longer cuts through the material. In such cases, the debris removal blades may need to be sharpened. If the blades are not too dull, they can often be sharpened by pouring ice cubes down the drain. If the blades are too dull, they may need to be sharpened or replaced by a professional.
From time to time, the blades can also break completely. If this happens, the person may hear a loud rattling noise and see that the material is no longer being ground up for disposal. In this case, it will be necessary to replace the blades. Occasionally the unit may be too old to find replacement blades and the entire unit may need to be replaced.
Leaks can also be common waste disposal problems. For example, a person may notice that the area under the sink is wet or see water leaking from the unit. In this situation, the joints connecting the garbage disposal to the sink and dishwasher may need to be retightened. If the unit is still leaking water, the rubber gasket may need to be replaced.
Many waste disposal problems can be avoided. For example, some things should never be thrown away, like large bones, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Experts also recommend avoiding harsh cleaning products like bleach to keep rubber gaskets flexible and leak-free. Also, running cold water while the unit is on and trying to avoid pouring hot water from boiled pasta, grease, or other materials that can clog the drain can help keep the drain working.
