Your garbage disposal is a useful piece of equipment. If you want to keep it running properly, there are a few things you need to be aware of. That’s where the residential plumbing experts at GNG Plumbing and The Hardware Store in Orange Beach, AL, come in to help. They’re here with a few handy tips to help you maintain your garbage disposal and keep it in working order.

Here are three tips to follow to make sure your garbage disposal stays up and running efficiently:

• Run It Often: One of the worst things you can do to your disposal is let excess amounts of food build up inside of it. Letting excess food build up won’t just make your sink smell bad, but it can also corrode your disposal unit. Run your disposal while using cold water shortly after you put food in it. Let the water continue running after you turn the disposal off to wash away any remaining food particles. You can also deodorize your disposal by grinding lemon rinds or vinegar.
• Know How To Handle A Jam: If you experience a garbage disposal jam, don’t panic. Turn your disposal off and then turn off the water. Use a flashlight and tongs to find and remove any objects that could be causing the jam. Hit the reset button or wait five minutes for your disposal to automatically reset, and then try running it again. If your disposal still seems to be having problems, consider calling a residential plumbing service for assistance.
• Keep Problem Items Out: There are certain items that should never go into your garbage disposal — unless you want to call a plumber. Stringy food items such as banana peels or raw meat can cause problems by wrapping around the mechanism. Grease, oil, and flour can also be problematic. Never put any non-food items in your disposal — materials such as metal, plastic, or large bones will put you in need of a new garbage disposal installation. 

For all your residential plumbing needs, you can depend on the expert team at GNG Plumbing and The Hardware Store. For more information on their services, visit them online or call (251) 974-5630 today.