A garbage disposal is an incredibly useful appliance, one that we’ve recommended everyone install in the past. However, many people assume that once they’ve purchased a garbage disposal, or move into a home that already has one, they never need to worry about it again. But like any other important appliances, garbage disposals can break down over time, and it’s important to take care of proper care of your disposal if you want it to last as long as possible. But how long does a garbage disposal last exactly? Keep reading to find out, courtesy of our skilled plumbers at Moe Plumbing Services.
How to Increase Your Garbage Disposal’s Lifespan
The average garbage disposal can last anywhere between 8 and 15 years. If you want to get the most out of your garbage disposal and avoid having to replace it for as long as possible, your best bet is simply to be careful about what you’re putting in it. Some people treat their garbage disposals like a second trash can, simply putting any extra waste they can fit down it. This is a great way to make sure you’ll have to replace your disposal sooner rather than later. Garbage disposals should only be used for light food waste that you can easily scrape off your plate. Bottom line: no matter how full that trash can is, you’re better off emptying it and refilling it than using the garbage disposal instead.
The top things you should never put down your garbage disposal are:
- Grease, Oil & Fat: Many don’t know that grease should always go into the trash rather than the garbage disposal. Even if you pour it in before it hardens and try to wash it away, it can still combine with water to congeal in your system, causing a nasty clog that can even lead to a backup.
- Pasta, Rice, Bread & Other Starches: Starches expand when they meet with water, meaning they can easily get stuck in your drain and create a clog.
- Celery, Asparagus, Onion Skins & Other Fibrous Vegetables: Fibrous foods tend to be very stringy, meaning they can easily get wrapped up in your garbage disposal and cause all kinds of problems.
- Rinds, Peels & Skins: Harder fruit rinds, such as watermelon, are simply too hard for your garbage disposal to break down. However, even something like a lemon rind could be a problem if you put too many in. One lemon slice? That’s fine. But a whole lemon could really mess up your disposal. Apple skins and the like can also get wrapped around the impeller and have a hard time going down, and should also be thrown away if possible.
- Pits & Seeds: You probably wouldn’t put something as hard as a peach pit down your garbage disposal. However, even smaller seeds can be a problem, easily getting stuck in your system and contributing to clogs.
- Eggshells & Coffee Grounds: This is another one where most people assume these items are fine. But while eggshells and coffee grounds are easy to break up, their sedimentary nature makes them very hard to fully wash away, meaning they can also stick to other food and become part of a blockage.
- Bones: Hopefully this one is obvious, but even small bones are too hard to put in your garbage disposal, and can mess up the system’s impeller and motor.
- Non-Food Items: Whether we’re talking about paper products, gum, or even cosmetics, it should all be thrown away. To reiterate, your garbage disposal is for light food waste only.
Call Moe Plumbing Services for Plumbing Repairs
If your garbage disposal is acting up, Moe Plumbing Services is here to help. Backed by nearly a century of plumbing experience, our technicians know a thing or two about how to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Whether your system needs to be repaired or replaced, you can count on us to deliver the efficient and dependable service you need.
In addition to garbage disposal repairs and replacements, we offer the following services:
- New construction plumbing
- Backflow testing
- Drain and sewer inspections
- Earthquake home protection
- Leak detection
- Emergency repairs
- Hydro jetting
- Water filtration
- Sewer repairs
- Water heater repairs and replacements
- Tankless water heaters
- Commercial plumbing
To learn more about how Moe Plumbing Services can take care of your home or business, call (818) 396-8002. We can also be reached online.