If you're planning to renovate your kitchen, you may be trying to decide if you want a garbage disposal installed. If you've never had one, it may seem like a great idea. If you've had one in the past and never used it that much, you may prefer to leave it out. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a garbage disposal.
Advantages Of Having A Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is handy for catching food crumbs and residue when you rinse dishes. In this way, it helps prevent clogs in your plumbing by making sure small food bits are ground up before going through the drains. This allows you to rinse plates without having to take time to scrape them thoroughly first. A garbage disposal is a handy kitchen appliance that can make your life easier as long as you use it properly.
Be sure everyone in your family knows how to use the disposal so teens won't pour grease into it or drop in big chunks of food. A disposal works best if you put in small scraps. It isn't really designed to break up large amounts of food. That can lead to stress on the motor and the need for replacement or repairs. On the plus side, a garbage disposal makes cleaning up after meals easier and it helps protect your drains from clogs.
Disadvantages Of A Garbage Disposal
If your home is connected to a septic tank, the waste that goes into your garbage disposal will end up in the tank and possibly cause it to need cleaned out more often. A garbage disposal is often considered as an additional person in your house when the frequency of pumping is calculated by a contractor. If your home is connected to the city's sewer system, then you won't have this problem to worry about. If you want a garbage disposal and you have a septic tank, a good compromise is to use it sparingly and be careful what types of food you send to your tank.
One common complaint about garbage disposals is that they give off bad odors because of the rotting food bits inside. The odor can even attract drain flies. You can try home remedies such as pouring baking soda and vinegar into the disposal or using an enzyme cleaner that's safe for garbage disposals. Remember to run water when you use the disposal so food gets pushed on through the system and doesn't sit in the disposal to decay.
You'll probably find the benefits of having a garbage disposal outweigh the disadvantages. The key is to use the appliance as the manufacturer intended. Be sure to read the instruction manual so you know what foods are not allowed in the disposal or ask the plumbing contractor who installs it for advice on using it properly. A plumber sees all kinds of problems that develop with a garbage disposal and can give you useful tips for getting the best service out of yours.
