Reasons Why Your Garbage Disposal Gets Jammed

You flip the switch for the garbage disposal and nothing happens; your disposal has clogged again. What causes your garbage disposal to clog? The most common reason is putting too much in at one time; clogging your disposal before it even has a chance to grind. Putting waste down the disposal too fast results in a garbage disposal that can’t keep up, thus causing it to stop, firmly clogged up.

Do you run hot water or cold water as you are using the disposal? Hot water causes grease within the foods to liquidize then harden as it passes through the trap and into the drain; this may create a bigger issue than just a stopped up disposal. A plumber may need to be called to clear blockages that occur deeper into the drainage pipes. Using cold water during disposal use allows grease to remain in the foods and the disposal can grind and send the waste on its way down the drains.

Another common mistake is not letting the cold water run long enough after using the garbage disposal, this causes the debris to coat the trap, preventing anything from getting beyond it. Are you allowing fibrous foods, such as celery or onions, down your disposal? When ground, these foods shred into strings that tangle in your disposal blades, stopping them in their tracks. Avoid inadvertently sending plastics or paper down the disposal, as these will immediately cause an issue. Banana peels and potato skins turn into a paste-like substance coating the trap and pipes, creating a layer of sticky particle trapping mud, eventually clogging the system.

Forks, knives, and spoons sometimes fall into the disposal wreaking havoc by plugging your disposal and potentially breaking the system. Clogged disposals harbor bacteria and will eventually begin to smell if not repaired immediately. It is best to leave the repairs to a professional plumber; attempting repairs yourself could result in permanent damage to your garbage disposal system.

Is the garbage disposal in your Easton home acting up? Call AmeriServe at 610-258-2591 and schedule a service call today!