Garbage Disposal Maintenance

Indispensable in the modern kitchen, a garbage disposal helps make food preparation and cleanup easy and fast. Attached to the underside of a kitchen sink’s drain, it works by chewing up food scraps fed down the drain with a heavy flow of water. A shredder breaks the food down in the grinding chamber, and then an impeller arm and plate force the liquid and particles down the drain. Dishwasher drain water also runs through the garbage disposal so that any large particles are chewed up and drained away.

Most garbage disposals have electric-powered motors, but one new type operates solely on the force of water from the sink spout. These are particularly practical where there is no electrical outlet for a disposal beneath the sink.

A good garbage disposal can last a decade or more with proper care and usage. Simple problems are easy to fix; with a serious problem, you’re usually better off replacing the entire unit. When you buy a new disposal, installation instructions are included.