One of the most frequently used appliances in your kitchen is also the most mysterious one. Chances are that you don’t often think about your garbage disposal – but there’s so much to know about it! Here are five quick facts about garbage disposals that every homeowner should know before turning it on again, especially if you live in or around San Gabriel County.

San Gabriel County Resident Fact #1: Garbage Disposals Have Many Benefits

Installing a garbage disposal is beneficial for a variety of reasons. They are designed to reduce food waste, which leads to a reduction in the methane gases that occur as food decomposes. Disposals are designed to make food removal quicker and easier. In the greater scheme of things, garbage disposals are the cheapest appliances to install and maintain.

Fact #2: Large Cities Benefit From Garbage Disposals

The more citizens that live in an area, the more food they consume. Where there’s food, there’s vermin. When garbage disposals are installed and used to remove food, there is less for rats, mice, and bugs to eat. When there’s less food thrown in the trash, vermin start to go elsewhere. To put it plainly: disposals discourage pests.

Fact #3 for San Gabriel County Residents: Not All Food Can Go Down the Sink

While garbage disposals are intended to decrease trash, there are a number of things that shouldn’t be thrown down the sink. These include grease, eggshells, starches like potatoes, and bones. These no-go foods are known to clog kitchen sinks, immobilize disposal systems, and cause bigger plumbing issues throughout your home.

Fact #4: Garbage Disposals Tend to Break During the Holidays

One last fun fact about garbage disposal usage: the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is the busiest day for plumbers. Why? In the midst of getting ready for and cleaned up from Turkey Day, people will try to force the wrong kinds of food items (like the ones we just discussed) down the disposal. This leads to clogged drains and headaches.

Experiencing Problems With Your San Gabriel County Disposal? Call Team Rooter!

Now that you’ve learned the top five facts about garbage disposals, you’ll know the signs that require maintenance for your system. When you see those signs, it’s time to contact Team Rooter. Our team has been serving garbage disposals and plumbing systems throughout the San Gabriel County area for decades. Don’t delay–contact our team anytime, 24/7/365.

There are two main reasons that you might come upon a sudden foul smell in your home. Old food might be stuck in your drain or around your garbage disposal. This is the most common reason and what we’ll focus on in today’s blog post. If there’s nothing stuck, you might have a bigger problem. Your sewer system might be backing up and causing a bad smell. Let’s look at how you can eliminate a smelly kitchen sink in San Gabriel County.

How to Check For Sewer Gas Leaks in Your Kitchen

If you think you’re smelling sewer gas, take a look under the sink. You should see a U-shaped pipe somewhere between the sink and the outside pipe system. Take a close look to make sure there isn’t a leak there. If there’s no visible leak, your sewer vent might have a leak, a blockage, or another problem. You need to call a plumber immediately to avoid lingering damage that can get expensive very quickly.

Try Cleaning Your San Gabriel County Sink Area

If there’s no visible leak, it’s time to try cleaning your sink. There are several ways that you can go about this. One of the fastest methods is to pour a natural enzyme-based cleaner down the sink and letting it work on any potential clogs. Be mindful not to use a commercial cleaner like Drano — these kinds of cleaners can be corrosive and cause greater pipe damage. 

You might also try dropping some ice cubes down the sink and running your garbage disposal. The disposal will chop up the ice and the chunks will dislodge food particles.

Another natural option involves boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda. Begin by pouring a cup of white vinegar into your drain, followed quickly by a cup of baking soda. Plug the drain with a stopper and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Once enough time has passed, pour a pot of boiling water into the drain. This science experiment has been proven to leave customers with a clean, odor-free kitchen in no time at all.

Still Can’t Get Rid of the Smell? Call Team Rooter of San Gabriel County

If you’ve tried the steps above and still can’t get rid of the odor, don’t wait. Call the plumbing experts at Team Rooter. We’ve been serving San Gabriel County for decades, and we’ll come find the right solution ASAP. Call any time, day or night. It doesn’t matter. We’ll be there as soon as we can. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us and rid yourself of a smelly kitchen sink today!