Garbage disposal is one of the useful kitchen tools that help you eliminate waste and keep your kitchen clean, well-maintained, and garbage-free.
It collects the solid foods and grinds them up, thus providing you with the riddance from kitchen garbage. However, it is not always the case! A garbage disposal can sometimes give you a tough time, especially when it gets clogged.
The real challenge arises when it stops serving the purpose that it is made for.
To unclog your garbage disposal unit, you can take the following measures:
- Pour boiled water into the garbage disposal.
- Use natural cleaners.
- Take apart the P-trap and clean it
- Use plungers
- Reach out to a plumbing expert
This article will cover 5 techniques that can be useful to unclog a clogged water disposal unit.
5 Simple Techniques To Unclog a Clogged Water Disposal
Now that you have known all the reasons that can make your garbage disposal function poor. It is time to be aware of some simple techniques you can utilize to unclog your clogged disposal.
Get to know below about the 5 simple and easy tips that can assist you in unclogging your garbage disposal:
1. Pour Boiled Water Into the Garbage Disposal
Gentle and warm water can help you clear out your clogged garbage disposal. Pour the boiled water into the sink drain and use it sufficiently.
So that it melts through anything stuck in your drain, never use overly boiled water, as it can damage the disposal pipes. Water used should be gently boiled enough to facilitate smooth drainage.
Warm water unclogs most drains right away and fixes your problem immediately.
2. Use Natural Cleaners
If you feel hot water has not solved your problem, use natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. When you put vinegar and baking soda into the disposal, a chemical reaction will occur between both.
This will clear out the clogged garbage disposal in no time. You can do that by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the drain. Then add enough vinegar on top of the baking soda.
You will observe the sides of the drain bubbling up. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to get the best results.
3. Take Apart the P-Trap and Clean It
The P-trap is the curved section of the pipe under the garbage disposal. Debris and other clogs usually get stuck here and cause drainage problems. You can take the P-trap apart and clean any clog lodged over time.
After you have removed the P-trap, you can begin cleaning it. Wash it with warm water and strong cleaners. Make sure to get all areas of it thoroughly cleaned up.
After that, leave the P-trap for some time, and put it back. Suppose you feel like you cannot reach out to the P-trap. Or if you are not sure to provide it a clean-up, it needs, you may get professional help.
4. Use Plungers
You can also attempt to unclog your garbage disposal by plunging the clogged drain. Plungers create a suction force and allow the clogs to break down. After which, it becomes easy for clogs to move through the disposal.
To do this, place the rubber part of the plunger over the drain opening. Then push down firmly using both hands. Be careful not to push down too hard, as it can damage the pipes.
After that, pull it up to suck obstructions upwards. Give it some time, and if needed, repeat it. And get your clogged drain unclogged.
5. Reach Out to a Plumbing Expert
In case you have tried all the necessary things. If you still have not been able to fix your problem, you may hire a plumbing expert. Plumbing experts help you detect the exact reason causing the clog.
They can also provide the clean-up you need to restore your disposal system. A professional with some clog removal experience can uninstall and reinstall the garbage disposal.
And solve your problem in no time since professional help can be expensive. Therefore, you should use this option as a last resort.
Clog in the Water Disposal – What Is Causing It?
The result is a clog when the food particles accumulate and cannot be rinsed thoroughly. Before attempting to unclog the water disposal, knowing what’s causing it is necessary.
That one may properly address the problem. And adopt the right kind of technique for the clean-up.
Below mentioned are some of the causes that contribute to clogged water disposal:
Lack of Water
A clog usually occurs when the food leftovers have not got drained properly. This clogs the drain line and obstructs the blades from working.
Plenty of water should be used to thoroughly dispose of the kitchen garbage. Insufficient flushing water does not drain the food properly.
This leads to food build-up and eventually blocks drainage. Therefore, be sure to use enough water when the disposal is grinding.
Incorrect Food Types
A garbage disposal helps you to eliminate your kitchen waste. But know that you cannot grind all food types using it. There are certain items with which garbage disposal is not much effective.
Hard foods like seeds, bones, and corncobs are too strong to grind. When the garbage disposal is exposed to such foods, its blade may get spoilt.
Also, certain items like lettuce, pasta, banana peels, and corn husks usually wrap around the blade.
This restricts the easy movement of the blade and causes it to clog. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and greasy items also cause similar problems.
Greasy items quickly clog the drain and create passage problems for waste. Foods like potato peels and banana peels create a thick paste.
This paste is very much similar to grease and hinders the smooth functioning of garbage disposal.
Plenty of Food at Once
Generally, people think that garbage disposal can handle too much food at once. Therefore, one may quickly eliminate as many leftovers as possible.
But is this notion true? Well, not really! Exposure to too much food at one time makes draining even more difficult. Blades get weakened, and for sure, there will be clogs.
You can use a simple technique if you do not know how much food makes the water disposal overburdened. Pay attention to the sound your garage disposal makes while working.
Usually, overwhelmed garbage disposal gives a humming sound. If you feel the same sound, stop adding more food and let the disposal grind the food already there. Be sure to provide sufficient flushing water to make the grinding process easier.
Non-Food Items
Non-food items should always go into the garbage can, not the garbage disposal. Avoid the items like fabric, foil, paper, stone, etc., from getting into your water disposal because these items will only contribute to a clog and halt all your kitchen activities.
So, do not let these small items damage your drainage system. Be careful with what you put into your garbage disposal.
Conclusion
Garbage disposals do clog sometimes, and it is completely normal. However, by having a fair idea of its causes and how clogs can be fixed, one can handle this problem easily.
It is also important to keep an eye on what is being put into the garbage disposal.
Avoid putting seeds, non-food items, and greasy materials into it. Also, follow certain preventive measures to avoid this clogging problem. In case you cannot fix your clogged drainage system, make sure to seek expert assistance!
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Unclog the Garbage Disposal With Standing Water?
If your garbage disposal has been clogged and there has been standing water around your sink. You can unclog it. Here’s how:
- Put on your gloves and grab a small bucket of water.
- Continue to remove the water until there is no more water.
- Then, remove the drain stoppers.
- Next, use a towel to absorb the standing water around the drain.
- Wash up the disposal and the entire area surrounding it.
Let it dry, and there you go. You have fixed your problem.
What Are the Home Remedies, One Can Use To Unclog the Clogged Drainage System?
Whenever any problem arises, we try to solve it at home first. Using home remedies is cost-effective and can save us a great deal of hassle.
For clogged garbage disposal, you can also attempt to unclog it at home.
For that, you can use one of the two remedies. Use baking soda and vinegar. Or, if vinegar is unavailable, you substitute it for salt.
Both of these remedies can provide you with a safe unclogging experience.
How Can You Prevent Your Garbage Disposal From Getting Clogged?
Try some simple tips at home to keep your garbage disposal clean and unclogged. Here are some of these tips:
- Clean up the garbage disposal every two weeks.
- Be sure to use tiny citrus peels to avoid odors and freshen up the garbage disposal. Never fill up the disposal with food. Always keep it to a minimum amount.
- Avoid using non-food and hard food items.
- Even if there is no trash in the garbage disposal, run the water through the unit every few days. By doing so, you can prevent the corrosion and component seizing that may later on cause clogs.
- While grinding the food, avoid using anything that contains oil, fats, and grease. Lastly, always use enough water to help the leftovers get drained properly.
By following these tips, you can keep your garbage well-maintained. And preventing it from getting clogged.
