Nothing is worse than a smelly garbage disposal. Whenever you have a smell that just won’t clear from your kitchen, your garbage disposal may be your main culprit. Before you invest in a new garbage disposal, know that there are plenty of ways to diagnose the reason when it begins to stink.
Here at Surgi’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’re here to help with the worst of your plumbing issues. A garbage disposal that’s stinking won’t be able to be fully clean until the object causing the smell is removed or the machine is repaired. However, you can prevent these bad smells by changing your cleaning practices and watching what you put down the stink.
What Are The Reasons Your Garbage Disposal Smells?
There are a variety of reasons that may lead to a garbage disposal that smells. Identifying what’s causing your problem will allow you to treat the issue effectively.
Fats, Oils, And Grease
When thicker liquids such as grease and oils are put down the drain, there is a high risk that they’ll leave behind residue. Whenever these substances are poured down the drain, they can actually lose their liquid property and solidify.
The solid versions of these fats can end up stuck in your garbage disposal — and start to stink! This is especially true for animal fats, but coconut oil has the potential to solidify as well. Luckily, solidified grease can be resolved with deep cleaning!
Food Residue
Similarly to fats, oils and grease, food residue can be a massive contributor to a bad smell coming out of your garbage disposal. Whenever food particles are left in the garbage disposal for too long, they can begin to rot. This will give your garbage disposal an unmistakable smell, but a deep cleaning will help alleviate the issue.
Old Or Worn Out Disposal
An old garbage disposal may start to stink because of damage! This is because as food particles go down the drain, they aren’t being properly ground up. This can cause a buildup of food residue at the bottom of the components in your disposal.
This will require more expansive repairs than simple food repair or grease because of how deep the residue will be inside your pipes. If you suspect that your garbage disposal is old and not grinding properly, call a plumber immediately to solve the issue.
Inadequate Cleaning
If the garbage disposal isn’t consistently cleaned, bacteria can grow from the excess food that will exist on the blades. There are a lot of ways that you can clean a garbage disposal, but using antibacterial soap and water every 2 weeks is a great first step to keeping the smell away.
If you suspect that your garbage disposal needs cleaning to remove the smell, there is no need to call a technician. Surface level cleaning, even if it takes a few times, can help protect your garbage disposal from bad odors.
When Do I Schedule Garbage Disposal Repair?
You should schedule a plumbing repair for your garbage disposal if you notice any of the following signs:
- Loud or strange noises
- Not grinding food waste
- Water leaks
- Clogs and backups
- Lack of power
Delaying these issues from being resolved may lead to more problems, so it’s important that you schedule services for any of these issues that you’re facing.
Call Today For Plumbing That Sparkles!
At Surgi’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we want to ensure that all of your home facilities are comfortable for you. Plumbing issues can be absolutely awful to deal with, which is why we’re here to help with any of your plumbing needs in Louisiana! Call today for service done right the first time.
