There aren't many things more frustrating than an air conditioning that refuses to run. A hot, muggy home can make your space incredibly uncomfortable, which is why I have always focused on maintaining my air conditioning system. Unfortunately, I still run into problems from time to time and I am sure that all of you do, which is one of the reasons I decided to build this website. Check out these posts for more information about keeping your system working beautifully, even if you aren't naturally good at fixing things. You never know, making the right changes could dramatically improve your summertime experience.
Herbert Franklin
Many people tend to ignore their garbage disposals. This extension of your home's plumbing system does need care, and chances are at some point it will need repair. A stuck or malfunctioning garbage disposal is no one's idea of fun, and it's in your best interests to try to keep the disposal in good shape so that you don't need to call for emergency repairs. It really doesn't take much to keep the disposal functioning at an acceptable level, but you have to remember to do it—and you have to know what to do. Read on to learn more about maintaining your disposal.
Run the Disposal at Least Weekly
Maybe you're not home much and you live alone, or you tend to eat TV dinners where all you have to wash is the occasional fork. You'd think that not much would be going through the disposal except water. That's not the case; tiny food particles from what you wash can still build up. Run the disposal at least once a week, and preferably twice, just to get those bits taken care of. Use cold water so the motor of the disposal doesn't get too hot. If you wash more than just a few utensils, use the disposal more often.
Use a Drain Net
Think back to the sitcoms of the 1970s and thereabouts, when people seemed to routinely lose rings down the drain. You might not be at risk of that specific issue, but it's not impossible that something that shouldn't go down the drain (e.g. a ring, a bottle cap, a cherry pit) accidentally falls into the disposal. It's not that easy to fish those out, but you can avoid the problem by using a drain net. These are metal mesh nets that you can buy at supermarkets and big-box stores in different sizes. Plunk one of those down in the opening to the drain, empty it occasionally, and you're on your way to avoiding emergency repairs.
Don't Assume the Disposal Destroys Everything
When garbage disposals were first used, they were supposed to crunch up pretty much everything softer than bones. Whether that was a myth or the technology has changed, disposals now do not destroy everything you put into them. You do not want to put pasty items like cooked pasta or rice into the disposal, for example, because those can smear around the impellers and dry, causing the impellers to stop moving freely. Hard, chunky items like whole apple cores are also not good, and you don't want to put coffee grounds or similar items into the disposal. A professional can help restore your disposal.
If you do find that you need help with the disposal, keep in mind that most repairs are simple. However, professional help can go a long way. To learn more, contact local plumbers.