Garbage Disposals 101

Everything Northern Virginia Homeowners Need to Know!

Your garbage disposal is the unsung hero of your kitchen – grinding away food scraps day after day until it stops working or starts making those concerning sounds. That's when you quickly realize just how much you rely on this hardworking appliance.

The good news? Most disposal problems are preventable with the right knowledge and habits. Treat it well, and it'll serve you faithfully for years. Abuse it, and you'll find yourself dealing with clogs, jams, and expensive repairs.

How Your Garbage Disposal Actually Works

Before we talk about maintenance, it helps to understand what's happening inside that unit under your sink. Despite what many people think, your garbage disposal doesn't have sharp blades spinning around like a blender. Instead, it uses centrifugal force to fling food against a grinding ring, breaking it down into tiny particles that can safely flow through your plumbing system.

The process is surprisingly simple: food enters the grinding chamber, spinning impellers (not blades) force the food against the stationary grinding ring, water helps wash the ground particles down the drain, and the particles flow through your pipes to the sewer or septic system.

This design is actually quite forgiving – which is why many homeowners get away with poor disposal habits for years before problems surface. But understanding how it works helps explain why certain foods cause problems and others don't.

What Goes Down (And What Definitely Doesn't)

Understanding what your disposal can and can't handle is crucial to avoiding those frustrating backups and clogs. Think of your disposal like a helpful kitchen assistant that can handle some tasks but gets overwhelmed by others.

Foods Your Disposal Can Handle

• Most soft fruit and vegetable scraps (in small amounts – cut up larger pieces)
• Small food particles that rinse off dishes
• Citrus peels (bonus: they freshen your disposal naturally)
• Small amounts of leftover food
• Small, soft bones from fish or chicken

The Grease Rule (Non-Negotiable)

Never put grease, oil, or fat down your disposal. This is the #1 disposal killer we see. Even with water running, grease can coat your pipes and create serious blockages downstream that will require professional drain cleaning.The Faucet Check

Look under every sink for moisture, drips, or water stains. Even small drips can indicate failing seals that will worsen over time. Check outdoor faucets too – Northern Virginia's temperature swings are especially hard on exterior plumbing.

Foods That Will Cause You Headaches

Fibrous Troublemakers:

• Celery, asparagus, corn husks – These stringy vegetables can wrap around the impellers and jam your disposal
• Broccoli, lettuce & cabbage cores – These dense, fibrous cores are disposal blockers waiting to happen
• Grape stems – Surprisingly, those little woody stems are tougher than they look and can jam your disposal

The Sneaky Problem Foods:

• Lettuce & cabbage leaves – Too fine and can overwhelm the system or block proper water flow
• Coffee grounds – They clump together and cause clogs despite popular myths (toss these in your garden instead – the soil will love the nutrients!)
• Egg shells – Despite popular myths about sharpening blades, they create sand-like particles that clog drains, and the membrane inside can wrap around impellers (your garden soil will love these nutrients too!)
• Pasta & rice – They expand and turn gummy when wet
• Potato peels – The starch creates a paste-like substance
• Onion & garlic skins – Too thin and can slip past the grinding chamber

Hard No's:

• Meat scraps – Even without bones, meat can be problematic and create odor issues
• Large bones – They can damage your disposal's grinding components
• Fruit & avocado pits – Too hard for most disposals
• Anything non-food – Your disposal is not a trash can

The Essential Operating Rules

The Water Rule (Non-Negotiable)

Always run water before, during, and after using your disposal. Turn on the water first, then the disposal, grind your food, turn off the disposal, and let the water run for another 30 seconds. Never run your disposal without water flowing—it needs that water to move particles through your plumbing system.

Hot vs. Cold Water: The Real Story

If you're being smart and keeping all fats, oils, and grease out of your disposal entirely (which you should), hot water can help food particles break down and flow through your system more easily. However, if any fats might slip through, cold water keeps them solid so they can be ground up rather than coating your pipes. The key is keeping grease out entirely.

Other Operating Rules:

• Feed scraps gradually, not all at once
• Cut large items into smaller pieces
• Use your disposal regularly to prevent particles from hardening
• Never put your hand down the disposal – use tongs or pliers to remove anything
• Turn off the power before attempting to remove any objects

Keeping Your Disposal Fresh & Clean

The Weekly Ice Treatment: Myth vs. Reality

Here's what ice cubes actually do (and don't do): Ice cubes do NOT sharpen blades. Your disposal doesn't even have blades, it has impellers! However, ice cubes ARE great for your disposal because they knock off food particles stuck to the grinding chamber walls and impellers, and the grinding action helps break up grease buildup coating the interior.

Drop a handful of ice cubes down your disposal once a week and grind them up with cold water running. It's like giving your disposal a good scrub from the inside.

Fresh & Clean Options

Citrus peels – Orange, lemon, or lime peels smell great when ground up and help clean your disposal naturally with their oils and acids.

Commercial cleaning products – Those disposal cleaning pods or balls that come in lemon and other scents work well. Just follow the directions on the package – they're specifically designed to clean and deodorize safely.

Baking soda treatment – Once a month, pour a handful of baking soda down your disposal, let it sit for a few minutes, then grind it up with water running to neutralize odors.

Fighting gnats & drain flies – If you notice small flies around your disposal (fruit flies, drain flies, or gnats), they're breeding in the moist food debris. Pour boiling water down the drain to kill eggs and larvae, followed by the baking soda and vinegar* treatment. These little pests love the damp environment your disposal provides.

About bleach* – Some homeowners pour bleach down their disposal for freshening, and while small amounts with running water may be okay, many plumbing experts advise against it since bleach can react with other substances in your drain system and potentially damage pipes.

Regular maintenance check – Every few months, take a peek under your sink for any signs of leaks around the disposal unit or connecting pipes. Catching leaks early can save you from water damage and costly repairs.

*WARNING: Do not mix bleach and vinegar together as it makes chlorine gas.

Warning Signs Your Disposal Is Trying to Tell You Something

Disposal Won't Turn On

Before calling a plumber, try these steps:

• Check if the disposal unit is plugged in securely under the sink
• Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit (usually red or black)
• Check your electrical panel for tripped breakers
• Ensure the wall switch is working properly

Disposal Hums But Won't Grind: Something's Jammed the Impellers

This usually means food that shouldn't have gone down there is jamming the impellers:

1. Turn off power at the breaker
2. Use tongs to remove any visible objects inside the garbage disposal in the sink (never use your hands)
3. Go under your sink and look at the bottom of the disposal unit
4. You'll see a hex-shaped socket in the center
5. Insert an Allen wrench into this socket
6. Turn back and forth to free the jam
7. Find the reset button
8. Press the reset button
9. Restore power at the breaker
10. Test

Water Backs Up in the Sink: Clog in Your Pipes

This typically indicates a clog in the pipes under your sink, not in the disposal itself. This often happens when problem foods like broccoli cores or coffee grounds make it past the grinding chamber but created a pipe blockage downstream.

Try first: Run plenty of water while operating the disposal, or use a plunger on the drain (make sure the disposal is off).

If that doesn't work: The clog is likely in the pipes under your sink. You may need to disconnect the trap system under your sink to manually remove the blockage and clean the pipes before reconnecting everything. If you're not comfortable with this, or if the problem persists, it's time to call Nichols & Phipps.

Unusual Noises Mean Different Things:

• Grinding or rattling: Something hard (like a utensil or bottle cap) is in the disposal
• High-pitched squealing: The motor may be failing
• Humming without grinding: The unit is jammed

When You've Put Something Down You Shouldn't Have

We've all been there – you accidentally put broccoli cores, grape stems, or another problem food down the disposal, and now water is backing up.

First, try the simple fixes: Run water and operate the disposal to see if it can work through the blockage, or use a plunger on the drain (disposal turned off).

If water still backs up: The clog is likely in the pipes under your sink, not in the disposal itself. Before you start, grab a bucket or large pan to place under the pipes – you'll need it to catch water and debris when you disconnect the trap system. Once you're prepared, you can disconnect the trap to manually remove the blockage and clean out the pipes before reconnecting everything.

When to call the professionals: If you're not comfortable disconnecting plumbing, if the clog seems deeper in your drain system, or if basic fixes don't work, contact Nichols & Phipps. We have the tools and expertise to clear stubborn clogs quickly.

When to Call Nichols & Phipps

Call us immediately if:

• You smell sewer gas (rotten egg odors) around your disposal that won't go away with cleaning
• Water is leaking from the unit
• The disposal repeatedly trips your electrical breaker
• You've tried basic troubleshooting but problems persist
• You hear grinding metal sounds
• The disposal is more than 10 years old and having frequent problems

Signs it might be time for replacement:

Most garbage disposals last 8-12 years with proper care. If your disposal is approaching this age and having problems, or if you're calling for repairs more than once a year, replacement is usually more cost-effective than continued repairs.

• Frequent clogs despite proper use
• Persistent odors that cleaning can't eliminate
• Visible rust or corrosion
• Reduced grinding efficiency
• Frequent electrical problems
• Water leaking from the disposal unit itself (not just loose connections)

The Nichols & Phipps Difference

When disposal problems strike, you want a plumbing company that understands both the technical aspects and the practical realities of your daily life. At Nichols & Phipps, we bring over five decades of experience to every disposal call.

Our approach is straightforward: When it's broken, we fix it. When it's unfixable, we replace it. When it's working, we keep it that way. No commissions, no gimmicks, just honest home repair help so you can get back to running your house and living your life.

We've seen every type of disposal problem imaginable – from simple jams caused by hard no foods to complex drainage issues caused by years of improper use. Our certified technicians carry the tools and expertise needed to diagnose problems quickly and provide lasting solutions.

Whether you need emergency disposal repair, help clearing a stubborn clog, or guidance on proper disposal care, we're here to help Northern Virginia homeowners keep their kitchens running smoothly.

Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly

Your garbage disposal works hard for you every day. With proper care and smart usage habits, it can continue serving your family reliably for years to come. But when problems arise – and they eventually will – you need a plumbing company you can trust.

While most disposal problems aren't true emergencies, leaks under your sink are the exception. Even seemingly minor issues can quickly become urgent situations when you can't use your kitchen sink, especially if you're dealing with smelly backup water and don't know how to fix it yourself.

If you're experiencing disposal problems, a leak, have a clog that won't clear, or want professional advice on disposal care, contact Nichols & Phipps today. Call us today at (703) 670-8519 or visit us online to schedule service.

Remember, early intervention is always more cost-effective than letting issues worsen. Let our experienced team help you keep your kitchen running smoothly – because life's too short to worry about garbage disposal problems.