Kitchen waste disposal units are designed to grind food waste into small particles so it can pass safely through your plumbing system. However, when the grinding blades stop working properly, it can cause unpleasant smells, slow drainage or complete blockages.
Common Signs of a Problem
In many cases, the issue is caused by food debris or hard objects jamming the blades.
Artichokes are a particular cause of blockages, so it’s much better to put these in the bin!
What You Can Try
Before calling a plumber, try these simple steps:
Avoid putting items like grease, coffee grounds or fibrous vegetables (such as celery and especially those pesky artichokes!) into the disposal as they can cause jams.
Putting your hands into the disposal unit are also a definite no-no, and can make things much worse – for the unit as well as you!
You can however use the key supplied with the waste disposal unit to try to release the blades.
When to Call a Professional
If the unit still doesn’t work or the blades are damaged, it may need repair or replacement.
At Plumbing on Demand, we help homeowners quickly resolve waste disposal issues to keep kitchen plumbing running smoothly.
It is possible that a fuse may have blown, so if there’s no response whatsoever from your waste disposal, try replacing the fuse first.
Adam Goldman of Plumbing on Demand is highly recommended by his clients. He specialises in all kinds of plumbing, heating and gas issues.
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