Plumbing Facts: Did You Know This About Your Garbage Disposal?

Plumbing Facts: Did You Know This About Your Garbage Disposal?

A garbage disposal is a part of your plumbing that provides a way to get rid of food scraps and waste without putting these items in the landfills. Although the items may not seem like they take up a lot of space, they actually will add a lot of waste to the amount of annual garbage production if homeowners don’t grind up the food waste instead of throwing it away.

Incorporating a garbage disposal into your plumbing system has added benefits like minimizing and eliminating a lot of the odors from food that sits in a garbage can. Food waste, even in sealed bags, can attract animals and pests when it is in garbage cans outside, which can be unsanitary and even dangerous.

Most garbage disposals can handle large pieces of food waste, such as egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit rinds, and chicken bones. The sharp blades grind and liquefy the food, then transport it through the plumbing system into the wastewater system. This allows you to have a cleaner and more sanitary kitchen workspace for when you are preparing meals for your family.

Since a garbage disposal costs an average of 50 cents (or less) per year in electrical usage, it is a sound investment for any homeowner. They also only use about 1% of the total water consumption for a household, so they won’t require too much extra water. If you’re interested in adding garbage disposal to your home plumbing system, you’ll want to reach out to your local plumber to inquire about installation. It’s worth the cost to invest in a new garbage disposal for your home.