A Charleston Plumber’s Take on What to Do (and What NOT to Put Down There)
Hey there! As a plumber in Charleston, we see a lot of garbage disposals, and let me tell you, they’re one of those things we both love and hate. Love them because they’re super convenient… hate them because they can turn into a problem real quick when misused.
So, if you want to keep your disposal humming along without calling me on a Sunday night, here are a few things every homeowner should know:
First things first: use cold water.
Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease or fat so it can be chopped up and flushed down properly. Hot water might melt fats and send them a little further down, only to solidify later and cause a clog.
Feed it slowly.
Don’t dump everything in at once because this isn’t a wood chipper. Keep the motor running and feed in small amounts at a time. Give the blades a chance to do their job.
Avoid the usual suspects.
Here’s what I always tell folks to keep OUT of the disposal:
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Onion skins (they tend to slip past the blades and clog the drain)
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Celery, corn husks, and fibrous veggies
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Egg shells (the membrane inside can wrap around the blades)
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Grease, fats, or oils (they coat the pipes and lead to clogs)
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Coffee grounds (they clump up like wet cement)
What to do if it jams up
If your disposal stops spinning or makes a buzzing noise, turn everything off—both the switch and the water. Use tongs (never your hand!) to remove any stuck debris.
Underneath the disposal, there’s a little hex hole in the center. Use the service wrench that came with your unit to turn the motor manually and free up the blades. After that, press the red reset button on the bottom. That usually does the trick.
Smelly disposal? Here’s a quick fix.
Toss in a few lemon peels and a handful of ice cubes. Run the disposal for a few seconds without water, then flush it out with cold water. It’ll help freshen things up and knock loose any stuck debris.
Still stuck? That’s what we’re here for.
If your disposal is still jammed or just plain dead, it might be time to give your local plumber a call. We install, un-jam, and repair garbage disposals across Charleston, Summerville, and Mt. Pleasant.
Stay sharp and keep those blades spinning!
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