As a plumbing business, it goes without saying that garbage disposals are something we deal with quite regularly. And while garbage disposals are incredibly popular nowadays, not every home is going to have one installed. That doesn’t mean they can’t be a very useful resource in the kitchen though! Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll outline how you can ensure a successful garbage disposal install the next time you need one put into your kitchen.
Before we get into all of the details behind a perfect garbage disposal install, we would like to say hello to anyone stopping by our plumbing blog for the first time. Welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! Our team of experienced plumbing professionals is pleased to provide residential, commercial and new construction services. Along with garbage disposal installs and repairs, this also includes water heaters, drain cleaning, water softeners, faucets, toilets and so on! If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need a go-to plumber for all of your plumbing needs, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE.
Now…with that all being said, let’s discuss the topic of the week and that is everything you need to know to guarantee a perfect garbage disposal install!
Tip #1 for a Perfect Garbage Disposal Install: Find the right brand.
As can be said about any plumbing project, an important first step is going to involve purchasing products made by reliable brands. This is true for faucets, water heaters, toilets, water softeners and yes, garbage disposals too. No matter if you’re tackling the project as a DIY job or hiring a local plumbing pro to complete it, this is something worth keeping in mind. And believe it or not, in regards to garbage disposal brands, there are actually several options on the market nowadays. While our team has the ability to install any customer-furnished garbage disposal, for the sake of this blog post, we wanted to provide some tangible advice so you have a specific brand to consider. With that being said, our go-to garbage disposal brand is InSinkErator. They’re certainly a household name in the industry and a brand we feel confident recommending to clients. Not only this, but they also have a number of options to pick from, which is a major plus (as we’ll highlight later on in this blog post).
Tip #2 for a Perfect Garbage Disposal Install: Find the right plumber.
Unless you feel confident completing the garbage disposal installation on your own, you will also need to find a local plumbing professional to complete the project. And while it should be a rather straightforward project, you’ll want to make sure to hire someone that knows what they’re doing, right? If you already have a local plumbing company that you use for all other plumbing projects, you should be in good shape, as they likely also handle garbage disposal services. However, for those that don’t have a go-to plumber, you’ll want to do a little due diligence on local plumbing companies and find someone that you feel comfortable with. Check out reviews, ask friends/family for referrals and start reaching out for estimates on the install.
Tip #3 for a Perfect Garbage Disposal Install: Find the right horsepower.
So far, we have already discussed the importance of the brand and plumber in a garbage disposal installation. Next on our list is the horsepower that the disposal possesses. As you can likely imagine, this is a major factor in ensuring the disposal meets your household needs. For residential units, you’ll find garbage disposals generally come in these sizes: ⅓, ½, ¾ and 1 HP. While every household’s garbage disposal needs may be slightly different, you can generally determine which is needed by the number of people in your household with ½ HP being the most popular. On the other hand, for commercial kitchens, you may find a little more HP is required. For these, you can choose from garbage disposals all the way up to 10 HP. Yes, those will pack quite the punch!
Tip #4 for a Perfect Garbage Disposal Install: Find the right style.
While those first three items will suffice for most garbage disposal installs, our next item is perfect for those wanting a little extra. With the growth in the plumbing world, it’s safe to say homeowners have a plethora of options at their disposal. A great example of this would be InSinkErator’s Advanced Series. Click HERE to learn more about these units. The major advantage of these garbage disposals is their ability to operate at a reduced noise level. While this might not be a deciding factor for all homeowners, it can be a nice luxury for this important kitchen appliance! As can be said about any plumbing component, we expect to see more advancements in the future and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing what the future holds! After all, who could’ve predicted all of the smart technology elements making their way into the plumbing world?
Tip #5 for a Perfect Garbage Disposal Install: Maintain it.
Do you feel more confident in your ability to knock out your next garbage disposal installation project? We hope this blog post has helped answer any questions you may have had about this helpful kitchen appliance. However, in order to truly ensure it withstands the test of time and doesn’t result in another replacement shortly after (or just repairs), you’ll want to properly maintain it. Maintenance is an important topic of discussion here on our blog. After all, who wants to find themselves consistently spending their money on plumbing repairs around the house? So…what can you do to keep your garbage disposal in working order? Well, first and foremost, you’ll want to know what it can and can’t handle. Coffee grounds, fibrous veggies/fruits and grease are all perfect examples of garbage disposal no-no’s! Making sure everyone in your household or business is aware of this is a great first step in garbage disposal maintenance.
Aside from that, what else can you do to ensure your garbage disposal stays working correctly? Another piece of advice would be to only use cold water when using the garbage disposal and let the water run for a little while after turning the disposal off. Likewise, some regular cleaning is never a bad idea either. Long story short, as we say with various other plumbing fixtures/appliances, maintenance is always an important factor in getting the maximum number of years out of the individual units!
Hire the Team at Stine-Nichols Plumbing to Complete Your Garbage Disposal Install!
As we mentioned above, one of the key steps for a successful garbage disposal install is going to involve finding an experienced plumber. After all, picking out the right disposal is obviously an important part of the puzzle, but you also need to properly install it too. Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, our technicians have years of experience installing all different sizes of garbage disposals. Whether that be for residential or commercial purposes, we feel confident in our ability to provide a quality garbage disposal install. To speak with a member of our team about your next garbage disposal project, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. We look forward to hearing from you!