Tips from B&L Plumbing Service’s Technicians to Keep Your Disposal Running and Clog Free

There are two types of homeowners. Those who throw anything and everything down their garbage disposal and those who know better. Garbage disposals make kitchen cleanup easier, but misuse is one of the most common causes of plumbing problems. Knowing what should and shouldn’t go down your disposal can help it last longer, prevent clogs, and reduce the risk of costly repairs or replacement.

Below are simple dos and don’ts, helpful troubleshooting tips, and guidance on when it’s time to call in a professional plumber from B&L Plumbing Service.

What Should Go Down Your Garbage Disposal?

Garbage disposals are more than able to pulverize small amounts of soft food waste and nothing much tougher than that.

When putting soft food scraps down the disposal, remember to:

  • Run cold (not hot, see below) water before, during, and after use
  • Cut larger food scraps into small, bite-sized pieces
  • Feed food in slowly, not as a dump
  • Regularly freshen up your disposal by running ice cubes or citrus peels through
  • Use the disposal regularly to prevent smells, rust, and buildup

Why run cold water instead of hot?

Cold water keeps grease solid so it can be chopped and flushed away instead of sticking to pipes.

What Should NOT Go Down Your Garbage Disposal?

Garbage disposals are powerful, but even the best have their limits. They are not designed to handle grease, fibrous foods, or hard objects. Sending the wrong things down the drain can lead to jams, dulled blades, clogs, or even pipe damage.

These common items spell trouble for both disposals and drains:

  • Grease, fats, or cooking oils
  • Fibrous foods, such as celery, corn husks, onion skins, etc.
  • Starchy foods, like rice, pasta, potatoes, etc.
  • Hard items, including bones, fruit pits, shells, etc.
  • Coffee grounds or eggshells
  • Non-food items or harsh chemical cleaners

How Do You Keep Your Garbage Disposal Working and Working Longer?

Just follow our usage tips above. These tips, combined with proper care, result in most garbage disposals lasting eight to 15 years. The simplest way to describe “proper care and use” is to treat your disposal like an appliance, not a trash can.

Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting FAQs

Here are the most common questions we answer for homeowners in the Kansas City area, and smart, safe things to try before calling a plumber.

Why won’t my garbage disposal turn on?

Often, it’s a simple fix. The most common reasons are:

  • It’s gotten unplugged
  • The reset button has tripped
  • A circuit breaker has flipped

Fixes to try:
Make sure it’s plugged in (all the way). Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. Check the breaker before calling a plumber.

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not grinding?

A humming sound usually means the disposal is jammed.

Safe DIY fix:

  1. Turn off power to the disposal
  2. Use an Allen wrench in the bottom slot to rotate the blades
  3. Remove debris with tongs (never your hand)
  4. Press the reset button and test

If it continues humming, the motor may be damaged. Now’s the time to call out a plumber.

Why is my sink draining slowly when I use the disposal?

Slow draining often means a partial clog in the disposal or drain line.

What to try first:

  • Run hot water (without running the disposal)
  • Use a sink plunger
  • Avoid chemical drain cleaners, which can harm pipes

Still slow? A deeper clog might need professional clearing.

How do I get rid of garbage disposal odors?

Food particles can get trapped and cause smell issues.

Easy cleaning/freshening tips:

  • Grind ice cubes and baking soda
  • Run lemon or orange peels through the garbage disposal
  • Flush with cold water and mild dish soap

Persistent odors could mean leftover debris deeper in the grind chamber, which is something B&L Plumbing Service’s technicians can help with.

When should you call a plumbing company for a garbage disposal problem?

We’re always glad to help if:

  • The disposal is leaking
  • It won’t reset or keeps tripping
  • You hear grinding or metal-on-metal noises
  • The unit is old and frequently jams
  • There’s a clog you can’t clear
  • The DIY fixes above aren’t cutting it
  • Anytime you feel uncomfortable digging further into the problem because safety comes first

Why can’t you put eggshells down a garbage disposal?

They seem small and brittle enough, but eggshell membranes can wrap around blades and cause clogs.

Why shouldn’t I put coffee grounds in a garbage disposal?

Grounds collect in pipes and can clump and settle in pipes, causing blockages.

Can a bad or broken garbage disposal damage my plumbing?

Yes, if misused or overloaded, it can lead to clogs and pipe damage.

Is it better to repair or replace a garbage disposal?

If it’s over 10 years old and frequently failing, replacement is often the safer, more cost-effective way to go.

Prevention Goes a Long Way

Small changes in how you use your garbage disposal can prevent big plumbing headaches. But when something just isn’t right, a trained, licensed plumbing company like B&L Plumbing Service is here 24/7 to help with dependable diagnostics and long-lasting solutions you can trust. Contact us or book online.