Garbage Disposal Do’s & Don’ts: A Guide for Fort Collins Kitchens

After a busy day at the farmers’ market, you’re preparing dinner for your family. Like most homes in Northern Colorado, your home’s garbage disposal is a true workhorse. It handles all of your farmers’ market trips, family dinners, and holiday gatherings with ease. 

However, garbage disposals in Fort Collins must deal with unique local factors. Because of our notoriously hard water and winter cold snaps, garbage disposals experience additional strain. To care for your unit and prevent repairs, we’ve compiled some of the best garbage disposal tips in Fort Collins.

Quick Safety Note: Never put your hands or utensils down the drain if you have a garbage disposal. Before you troubleshoot problems, always turn off the unit at the wall switch and the circuit breaker. Even if you’re just trying the garbage disposal reset button or checking for a jam, the unit must be turned off and unplugged to ensure your safety.

The DOs: Proper Use & Everyday Care

As a part of your garbage disposal maintenance and care tips, remember to use the following best practices. 

DO Run Cold Water

Why It Matters: Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can clog your plumbing system. By using cold water, you cause FOG items to solidify so that the garbage disposal’s blades can chop them up. When you use hot water, it melts FOG items, so they solidify farther down the drain line.

Action: Use cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after you use your garbage disposal to clear your pipes completely.

DO Cut Scraps Into Small Pieces

Why It Matters: If you put scraps down the garbage disposal, cut them up first. Large scraps can overload the motor and lead to jams because the garbage disposal wasn’t made to pulverize scraps.

Action: Cut scraps into small pieces and feed them into the disposal gradually, especially rinds and fibrous veggies.

DO Clean It Regularly and Gently

Why It Matters: Over time, small food particles can build up and decay. This can cause performance problems and bad odors.

Action: Each month, clean the blades by grinding ice cubes in the disposal. Then, grind up small pieces of citrus peels for a fresh scent. Periodically, you can use baking soda and vinegar for a deeper clean. 

The DON’Ts: Common Mistakes To Avoid

To keep your unit working its best, remember the following top garbage disposal tips in Fort Collins.

DON’T Pour Fats, Oils, or Grease (FOG) Down the Drain

Why It Matters: Never pour FOG items down your drain. This is the number one reason why people call for garbage disposal repair in Fort Collins. FOG items stick to the inside of your pipes and eventually cause total blockages.

Action: When it comes to preventing garbage disposal clogs, it’s important to never pour grease down your sink. Pour it into a disposable jar or can. Once it has cooled, you can throw the jar away.

DON’T Add Fibrous or Starchy Foods

Why It Matters: You shouldn’t throw stringy, fibrous items down your drain because they can wrap around the blades and jam the motor. Meanwhile, rice, potato peels, and other starchy foods can expand and create a pasta-like sludge.

Action: Instead of throwing fibrous veggies and starchy food in your drain, compost them or toss them in the trash. Besides protecting your plumbing system, Larimer County’s composting rules and green bin initiatives also recommend composting as much as possible.

DON’T Use Hard Materials or Harsh Chemicals

Why It Matters: Hard items, like fruit pits, nutshells, and bones, can damage the blades. Similarly, chemical drain cleaners can corrode your disposal and pipes.

Action: When it comes to eco-friendly kitchen tips, it’s a good idea to avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners. Instead, troubleshoot the clog or call our team for experienced Northern Colorado plumbing services. 

Why Fort Collins Kitchens Are Prone to Disposal Problems

Garbage disposal problems can happen in any home, but there are specific issues that are more likely to occur along the Front Range. For example, the area’s hard water and garbage disposals aren’t a good mix. Over time, the hard water causes corrosion and foul odors. 

Besides the local water quality, Northern Colorado’s winter freezes and cold snaps can also be an issue. When cold weather arrives, grease solidifies faster in pipes and causes clogs. 

Although our local composting initiatives are positive for the environment, they can cause problems for residents. Some homeowners aren’t sure which items are compostable and which items to put down the disposal, which opens the door to potential mistakes. 

DIY Checks You Can Safely Try

Whether you want to learn how to fix a jammed garbage disposal or need to deal with a garbage disposal leaking under the sink, the following are some of the most important tips for keeping your garbage disposal in working order.

• Find the reset button under the unit and use it if your unit isn’t working.
• A hex key (Allen wrench) slot is on the bottom of the unit. It can help you manually dislodge jams, but you need to turn the power off first.
• A cleaning cycle with ice and citrus peels can reduce odors.
• Never put your hands down the drain, even if you’ve turned the power off.
• Don’t run the disposal if there is a loud humming or grinding noise.
• Never ignore persistent leaks because they can cause major water damage underneath your sink.

When To Call a Professional

Some problems, such as foul odors, can be handled on your own. However, you need to reach out to Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for plumbing repair in Fort Collins if you are currently experiencing the following situations.

• Your garbage disposal keeps jamming.
• The unit won’t turn on after being reset.
• A persistent leak won’t go away.

From showing you how to clean a garbage disposal to diagnosing a failing motor, we can handle all of your garbage disposal repairs. We can also clear clogged drain lines, so your minor issue doesn’t become a major kitchen disaster.

Prevent It: Good Habits & Professional Help

To prevent garbage disposal repair, it pays to be proactive. Proper daily use, such as not putting hard items down the disposal, will protect your unit. When problems do happen, it’s essential to call for plumbing help right away to ensure a well-maintained disposal and peace of mind.

Learn How To Care for Your Garbage Disposal in Fort Collins

From learning what not to put in a garbage disposal to addressing winter plumbing problems in Fort Collins, the right care can protect your unit. Our team understands what local buildings need, from older kitchens in Old Town to rentals near the CSU area to restaurants in the Harmony Corridor. By using the best garbage disposal tips in Fort Collins, you can ensure your disposal works as smoothly as possible.

Schedule fast, reliable plumbing services by giving us a call today!