Tips and tricks

Gabage disposals

• Garbage disposals typically have a life expectancy of about 10 years, although they may last longer.

• You can help extend your disposal’s life by running it every time food is placed in it. The acids and oils from food can eventually eat through the seals, causing leaks.

• Another simple tip, one that can save on plumbing headaches, is to always use cold water when running the disposal. Hot water dissolves fats and grease and deposits them in the drainpipe. Eventually the pipe will clog, especially if it is galvanized pipe.

Do it yourself

You can handle some disposal repairs successfully.

• First, turn off the breaker to the unit, disconnect the dishwasher drain hose (if you have a dishwasher), and finally, disconnect the discharge pipe.

• Recruit someone to hold the disposal so it doesn’t fall while you insert a jam wrench or screwdriver into the disposal’s locking collar.

• Turn it counterclockwise to unlock the unit from the upper mounting ring. Now you can pull it out from under the sink, to check it out or replace it.