Is Drain Cleaner Safe for Garbage Disposal?

When you need reliable garbage disposal services, you need the Babe Plumbing team. Call (507) 481-1094 to schedule a service!

You probably count on your kitchen sink's garbage disposal to handle food waste and other nasty substances on a regular basis. That's why few plumbing emergencies are as frustrating as garbage disposal issues. In particular, tough clogs and drainage issues can cause headaches unlike any other.

Is drain cleaner safe for garbage disposal? Our experts at Babe Plumbing, who offer drain cleaning services in Mankato, are here to explain why you shouldn't use drain cleaners to fix garbage disposal problems and what you should do instead.

Causes of Garbage Disposal Clogs

Garbage disposals rely on motorized blades to break down food waste. Sometimes, these blades break or become jammed, impeding their movement and functioning. Other times, the motorized component gives out.

However, the most common causes of garbage disposal clogs involve food waste backup. Unfortunately, these issues are extremely common, as many homeowners wrongfully assume that they can dispose of all types of food in their sinks. 

Fats, oils, and greases (FOG), in particular, cause serious trouble for garbage disposals. Foods like peanut butter, meats, butter, and cream stick to your sink's pipes, trapping other waste products as they travel through your system. This process can cause especially formidable clogs and may even result in a plumbing emergency like flooding,

Starchy and fibrous foods, like rice, asparagus, banana peels, and eggshells, don't belong in garbage disposals either. In any case, it's best to scrape food waste into a trash can before placing dishes and bowls into your sink. If you're having other garbage disposal issues unrelated to food buildup, like a lack of power or broken parts, contact your local experts for further assistance.

Why Drain Cleaner Isn't Safe for Garbage Disposals

If you're wondering, "Is drain cleaner safe for the garbage disposal?" the answer is a resounding no. Unlike what you might expect, commercial drain cleaning products like Drano can cause serious plumbing damage.

These cleaners use harsh, caustic chemicals as active ingredients. While these chemicals can usually dissolve whatever's causing your drain issues, they also damage your home's pipes. It's not worth getting rid of a clog only to corrode and eventually rupture your home's pipe system, right?

Garbage disposals, in particular, suffer serious damage at the hands of drain cleaners. Their disposal blades can corrode and weaken after continuous exposure to drain cleaning products, eventually breaking them entirely. If you have to use one of these garbage disposal cleaners, it's best to make it a one-time deal, or if you can, try other solutions.

How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal

There are other DIY ways to unclog garbage disposals that don't require using nasty drain cleaners. Here are a few techniques to deal with even the toughest clogs.

Boiling Water

Boiling water is a great way to clear up your sink's garbage disposal without causing long-term damage. It's especially effective on grease and oil, melting it down to help it pass through your pipes without any issue. 

Simply fill a pot or container with boiling water, then pour it down your sink's drain. Afterward, turn your faucet on and run hot tap water through your drain, as this step can help further dislodge any buildup. As long as you're careful not to burn yourself while pouring the boiling water, you can usually resolve most garbage disposal clogs with this easy technique.

Sink Plunger

If you're not keen on pouring boiling water down your drain, you can purchase a specialized sink plunger at your local hardware store. Often, these tools do wonders at dislodging debris from drains. However, you should be careful not to use a toilet plunger in your sink, as it can cause damage to your plumbing system.

Start by running a little bit of water into your sink. Then, place the sink plunger into the drain, pushing it up and down a few times. After a little while, you should hear a noise or feel movement in your drain, indicating that you've successfully fixed your drain issues.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This homemade cleaning solution packs a punch without damaging your garbage disposal. 

Start by pouring 1/2 a cup of baking soda down your sink's drain and another 1/2 cup of your preferred type of vinegar. After waiting a few minutes, turn your sink's faucet on and run hot water down your garbage disposal before turning it on. While this procedure might not fix the toughest clogs, it's very helpful for most issues.

How to Prevent Garbage Disposal Clogs

Before asking, "Is drain cleaner safe for garbage disposals?" it's worth considering how you can prevent garbage disposal clogs from occurring in the first place! These tips can help you keep your home's drains and garbage disposal working smoothly:

• Scrape food waste from bowls and dishes into the trash before placing them in your sink
• Run cold water to help your garbage disposal operate effectively
• Chop food waste into smaller pieces before placing it in your garbage disposal
• Avoid disposing of fats, oils, and greases in your sink

When in doubt, refer to your owner's manual for further assistance and advice. 

Why Call a Professional Plumber?

Sometimes, DIY home cleaning solutions aren't enough to fix your home's plumbing problems. If you've tried every trick in the book and your sink still doesn't work, call your local plumbing experts for help.

Professional plumbers have countless specialized tools that can deal with even the nastiest clogs. They can use drain snakes, jetters, and powerful cleaning solutions to fix your problems. Even better, they have extensive knowledge of regulations regarding waste disposal, so you can guarantee that they know what they're talking about.

Garbage Disposal Repair in Mankato, MN

Are you still asking, "Is drain cleaner safe for garbage disposals?" Would you like expert help fixing your garbage disposal? If so, our experts at Babe Plumbing have you covered!

So if your drain makes a gurgling sound or if you have any other issues, we can fix them. Call our Babe Plumbing team at (507) 481-1094 to learn more today!

Author Bio:

Jeff Jordan and Anne Jordan

The wizards at Babe Plumbing. With synchronized finesse, they flawlessly orchestrate service excellence, transforming appointment chaos into a harmonious symphony of plumbing solutions, leaving customers impressed and ever-grateful for their unrivaled coordination.