While the first garbage disposal was invented in 1927, it wasn’t offered to the general public until 1940. It wasn’t until the middle of the 1970s though, that this kitchen appliance became popular in homes across the United States. There are three basic types and each one provides the same end result.

Continuous Feed Models

This is the most common model found in homes today. Simply turn the water on, turn the machines on, add the waste, and the machine takes care of the rest. Once the waste is gone, turn off the machine, and turn off the water. The switch for this appliance is usually located on the sink or the wall. There is a button on the bottom of the machine that may help undo a jam. This type of disposal is inexpensive and relatively easy to install.

Batch Feed Models

This model works a bit differently. First, add the waste and the water. Next, place the cover on top of the opening. Once the cover is installed correctly, the garbage disposal will start to operate. Remove the cover and the disposal stops. This is a good choice in homes with small children, as the machine cannot be turned on accidentally.

Septic Tank Models

If your home has a septic tank system, this may be a good choice to avoid septic problems later on. It’s basically a continuous feed system, but there are replaceable cartridges used with the disposal. These contain enzymes to break down the waste. The cartridges have to be replaced about every three to six months.

Tips for Using Your Disposal

There are several foods that should never be put into a disposal. These include fibrous foods, such as artichokes and celery. The fibers can become wound around the blades, causing a jam. Seeds from popcorn, apples, peaches, and the like can damage the blades and cause the machine to quit working. Starchy foods, such as potato peelings can cause a build up on the blades, making them less effective. This buildup is also caused by using hot water in the system instead of cold water. Fats and grease will not only coat the blades, but can build up within the plumbing pipes, as well.

You can sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal by putting ice cubes or eggshells in it. Over time, there may be some rather offensive odors that emanate from the machines. A half a cup of baking soda and a bit of water may help, as can a handful of citrus peels. You should avoid putting any type of drain cleaner down a disposal, as this can cause the blades to rust.

Installation

Installation of a garage disposal should only be done by a professional. There are not only plumbing concerns, but electrical considerations, too. A professional can easily install your new disposal and make sure it is working properly.

If you are constantly plagued by water stains and spots when doing your dishes, you could be afflicted with hard water. According to the United States Geological Survey 89.3% of US homes have hard water, a problem that occurs when your water has substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium.

Hard water is not known to have any adverse health effects, however it can leave your skin dry and your hair dull. Combined with soap or detergent, it can form a scum which clings to all different surfaces. It may leave stains throughout your home and makes cleaning more difficult than necessary.

The biggest problem with hard water though is the effect it can have on your plumbing system. Over time, the minerals can build up inside the pipes of your plumbing system causing calcification and restricting water and waste flow. In hot water heaters, the minerals will settle on the heating element, as well as along the walls of the tank and within the pipes. This will reduce the life and efficiency of the hot water system as a whole.

So how do you cure hard water? The most common form of treatment is installing a water softener. Softeners will remove the excess minerals in your water. Softeners help protect your home’s plumbing system, ease the difficulty in cleaning spots & soap scum and will help prevent against dry skin and hair.

To find out if you have hard water, your Tacoma plumber can perform a simple test, which will show the hardness, pH levels and measures the level of dissolved solids. Once they know whats in your water, they can better recommend the best course of treatment.

Many of us are programmed in such a way that if we see something disappear, we believe it is gone for good. This type of thinking is especially harmful when it comes to our plumbing. Not everything is designed to go down the drain; pouring the wrong materials into kitchen sinks and other sinks in your house will eventually mean that you have big problems with your pipes that will cost a lot of money and time in order to fix. There are a lot of materials that if poured down the drain will accumulate, clogging the pipes, and some that will even corrode the joints and cause leaks and severe damage. Here is a list of the most common things that people dump into their sinks that can cause a lot of damage.

The most common item in this case is grease. Grease is liquid and it seems like it is natural for it to go down the drain, but remember it is only liquid because it is hot. As soon as grease cools down, it will begin to form into a solid, and eventually will become very solid. It will sit in your pipe and catch other matter, and eventually it will plug up the system. In the meantime, it might also start to smell really bad. Running hot water as you pour the grease down the drain will not help. The best way to get rid of grease is to put it into a container to harden and then throw it into the trash.

Bits of food are another item that make their way into the plumbing. Food should not be put down the drain unless you have a proper garbage disposal. Invest in some food catchers to put in the drain in order to catch the bits of pasta and vegetable that slip through the colander.

Hair always seems to make its way past the plug, in kitchen sinks and in bathtubs. Hair is very difficult to get out of piping once it gets in, and even worse it will catch other items and form one big mess. Keep hair from going into the pipes by buying hair catchers for all of your bathtub and shower drains. These need to be cleaned frequently, but it is better than paying the price for new piping.

Many people pour used materials such as motor oil, pesticides, and leftover moisturizers down their sinks. All of these are highly corrosive and will cause long term damage to pipes. Dispose of them in the manner recommended on the packaging, as to ignore this advice will not only cause significant damage to your house but to the environment as well.

A stitch in time saves nine, and the simple fact is that by being aware and taking care of materials properly, you will save yourself a lot of money in terms of plumbing later on. Don’t be fooled by the disappearance of items down the drain; it never just goes away!

Never again will you have to worry about finding a competent, professional Tacoma plumber to take care of your dripping faucets, stopped drains, hot water problems, backed up sewer, or other plumbing problems. Rooter-Man will be there in short time to quickly take care of the situation with comfort and ease.

I personally want to make every service call, whether emergency or not, a comfortable and pleasurable experience. I realize that most service call situations are anything but pleasurable, but you can feel at ease when you know a Rooter-Man plumber is on the job.

This plumbing blog will provide you with home plumbing tips including drain cleaning, energy efficient savings, and home plumbing tips for your Washington home. And if you ever have an emergency, please make sure to contact us today.