Taking out garbage can be dangerous and messy. Costly shoulder and back injuries can occur if you’re not careful with how you handle the trash.
To avoid this, follow these Ways To Properly Remove Your Garbage. This will prevent damage to your disposal and the rest of your plumbing system.
1. Turn Off the Water
It seems obvious, but the first step in any garbage disposal cleaning or unclogging is to make sure that your water supply to the appliance is shut off. This will prevent any accidental injuries or leaks that could occur while you’re working.
It’s also a good idea to put a bucket under the sink to catch any water that may spill out as you work. Also, be careful not to hover your hands over the disposal itself – any broken glass can fly up and injure you.
Using cold water while you run your disposal can also help to prevent clogs and slow drainage. Hot water helps grease and fat to break down, but it can also cause them to cling to – and eventually clog – the pipes of your disposal system. Cold water, on the other hand, will help those things to flow down the drain quickly and easily.
When you’re done using your disposal, be sure to turn off the water and then drain it by running cold water down the sink for about thirty seconds afterward. This will help to clear away any food residue that may still be in the pipes of your disposal, preventing a buildup of grime and foul odors.
You should also be sure to regularly clean your disposal’s splash guard by lifting each of the flaps and brushing them with a toothbrush. This will prevent a lot of the dirt buildup that can lead to clogs and foul odors. And, don’t forget to trim your discharge tube if it becomes too long; this will help your disposal to connect more easily to the drain pipe.
2. Turn Off the Power
Whether you’re cleaning your garbage disposal or just taking out the trash, it’s important to turn off the power before you begin. This will ensure your safety and also help you clean the disposal more thoroughly. This can be done by locating the switch in your home’s breaker box that is dedicated to your disposal and turning it off.
You should also make sure the drain pipe is unplugged and the nut holding it down has been removed. You can do this by using pliers or a wrench to loosen the fitting that holds it. After that, you can simply pull the pipe away with your hands.
If you’re unsure that the disposal is fully disconnected, use a voltage detector pen to see if it still has electricity running through it. You can purchase these at most hardware stores.
It’s a good idea to empty your garbage bin or container regularly, especially after parties. This helps you avoid overflow and unpleasant odors. It also prevents the bin from becoming a target for pests and other unwanted visitors.
If you’re unsure of how to do this, it’s a good idea to contact your plumber for assistance. They’re able to assess your disposal and determine if it’s time for a replacement. If this is the case, they’ll be able to help you select a new one and also install it for you. They’re able to do this in a timely and cost-effective manner. In addition, they can provide a variety of maintenance tips to keep your disposal working properly for as long as possible. This includes avoiding bleach, which can deteriorate the unit’s inner mechanisms. Instead, you can ward off smells by stuffing the peel of a citrus fruit into your disposal and running cold water while it’s in operation.
3. Empty the Drain
The best way to prevent clogs is to use your disposal on a regular basis. This also keeps your kitchen smelling fresh and clean. It’s a good idea to run it with cold water at least once every few days, even if you don’t have any food scraps to grind up.
It’s also a good idea to keep non-food related items out of your disposal. For example, you should never put paper, silverware or glass in your garbage disposal, as they can cause damage to the unit or lead to dangerous accidents. Non-food items can also clog the drain, so it’s important to check the disposal regularly for any foreign objects.
If you notice that your disposal is making a loud, grinding noise, it may be because something hard or sharp is stuck in the motor. This can be difficult to fix. Start by turning off the power and water, then unplugging the unit (or removing the plug and shutting off the breaker, if it’s hardwired). Place a bucket under the disposal to catch any remaining water, then grab a pair of long-handled tongs or pliers. Use them to carefully fish out the object from the drain, taking care not to break or bend any blades.
If plunging doesn’t work, the issue may be a buildup of food waste or fats, oils and grease (FOG). These solidify in the drain and sewer pipe, causing blockages and overflows. Avoid this by using a trashcan to dispose of grease, and wiping out the drain periodically with a paper towel soaked in vinegar. Also, don’t put potato peels or other hard, fibrous foods into the disposal. These can mash together to form a heavy paste that clogs mechanisms in the disposal or drainpipe.
4. Use a Plunger
Garbage disposals offer a quick and easy way to reduce kitchen waste. They help save time during cleanup and reduce the amount of methane-producing trash that ends up in landfills. However, disposing of garbage properly is important to avoid clogs and keep the system running smoothly. Clogs can occur when a user puts the wrong items into the disposal or doesn’t run enough water while using it.
When a garbage disposal becomes clogged, there are several things that can be done to fix it. First, make sure the drain is completely clear of debris. If there is still a clog, it may be in the P-Trap or the branch drainpipe that runs into the wall. Taking out the P-Trap can be tricky but it is possible with the right tools.
It is important to note that liquid drain cleaners are not a good option for a garbage disposal. These chemicals can eat away at the plastic components of the unit and should be avoided. If you’re having trouble unclogging your disposal, try a natural solution like baking soda and vinegar.
Pour a cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait 20 minutes (there should be a fizzing action), then flush the disposal with boiling water.
It is a good idea to use a plunger at least once a week to keep your disposal clean and working properly. It will also help ward off smells by keeping the drain open. Another great way to ward off odors is by pouring warm water and lemon wedges down the disposal between grinding cycles. The citric acid in the lemons will help sanitize and freshen the disposal.
5. Turn on the Light
A garbage disposal can be dangerous if something goes wrong, and this is why it is so important to take precautions when dealing with it. You should always turn off the power and water to your disposal before doing any sort of work on it. Also, you should never stick your hand in it without using pliers or kitchen tongs.
Lastly, you should regularly empty your disposal to prevent blockages and keep it running smoothly. It is also a good idea to check for clogs on a regular basis and make sure that nothing non-food related makes its way in there, such as silverware or a non-biodegradable object.
Garbage areas can be breeding grounds for pests, especially rodents and roaches, so it is very important to do everything you can to minimize their presence on your property. This includes storing garbage in properly-sized bins and regularly emptying them so that they don’t overflow or smell. Additionally, it is a good idea to use screens, decorative panels or privacy fences to conceal garbage bins and containers.
While it may seem obvious to take steps to properly dispose of your garbage, not everyone does so. As a result, there are a number of expensive claims that can be made due to improper garbage removal. This is why it is essential that you know the proper methods for doing so, and this will help to save both time and money in the long run. Moreover, proper waste management will help to reduce the amount of wasted materials that end up in landfills, which contribute to climate change. So, what are you waiting for? Start taking your garbage out properly today!