kitchen sink with garbage disposal

Do I need a garbage disposal? What is the purpose of a garbage disposal? If these questions are on your mind, you’ll find our article on the pros and cons of garbage disposals informative. 

A man named John W. Hammes invented garbage disposals in 1927. Since their invention, they have become popular fixtures in private homes and commercial buildings throughout America. Yet, this doesn’t mean they are automatically a good investment for your home. 

That’s why Scully’s Plumbing & Heating team has compiled this article to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of garbage disposals. Armed with this information, you can make an educated decision about if a garbage disposal is the right appliance for your home. 

What Are the Pros Of Garbage Disposals?

Is one of the biggest questions in your home, “do I need a garbage disposal?.” If you’re trying to determine if a garbage disposal is the right move, review the advantages of having one in your home that we have listed below. Simplify The Clean-up Process

You’ll be overjoyed to learn that garbage disposals simplify the clean-up process after meals. Ultimately, if your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal installed, you can scrape plates clean in the sink. If the food particles are small, your garbage disposal will clear it away without fuss. 

This means you won’t have to carry plates to the trash can to scrape them clean before you get ready to wash them or put them in the dishwasher. Clean-up is more efficient and much easier, so you can get back to doing what you love instead of worrying about kitchen chores. 

Protect Kitchen Pipes

The last thing you’ll want to do is repair or replace your kitchen pipes. Luckily, if you have a garbage disposal mounted to your sink, you can provide your pipes with the protection they need to continue functioning as they should. 

With a garbage disposal, you can throw away leftover scraps directly down the drain with less worry about the food scraps blocking your pipes and causing damage. Your garbage disposal will grind down these scraps into smaller particles that are far less likely to get stuck in your kitchen pipes and require drain cleaning or repair.

dirty dinner plates before scraping into garbage disposal

Better For The Environment

Environmental enthusiasts may choose to install a garbage disposal because they are good for the environment. After all, waste disposal is a significant problem globally. 

That’s why if you purchase and equip a garbage disposal unit in your home, you’ll get rid of unwanted food scraps more sustainably. This is because the food scraps will be broken down and routed through the sewer, which will end up as fertilizer. 

Easy To Install

Unlike other kitchen appliance installations, installing a garbage disposal underneath your sink isn’t a huge undertaking. With the help of a knowledgeable, professional plumber, like those at Scully’s Plumbing & Heating, you will have a fully operating garbage disposal in a few short hours. 

Yet, why is installation so fast? Equipping a garbage disposal is quick and efficient because most are engineered to adapt to a property’s plumbing configurations. 

What Are The Cons Of Garbage Disposals?

Unfortunately, there are many reasons not to have a garbage disposal. This kitchen appliance is not ideal for every household. Below are a few drawbacks of having a garbage disposal installed in your home. 

Requires Routine Maintenance

As with nearly every other kitchen appliance, garbage disposals require routine maintenance. Unfortunately, even when you use your garbage disposal properly, you will find that food particles linger inside it. Over time, this leftover food can decay and start to smell. 

To prevent these foul odors and stop food buildup, you must clean your garbage disposal once a week. This can be highly dangerous if you don’t remember to switch it off before attempting to clean it. 

To clean your garbage disposal thoroughly, you need to:

  • Switch it off. 
  • Wipe the rubber ring from the inside. It is found around the opening of your drain. 
  • Take a bottle brush and carefully scrub the inside of the garbage disposal. 

If you don’t have time to clean your disposal every week, you can freshen it up by running ice cubes made of lemon or vinegar through it. 

pasta can clog a garbage disposal

Must Be Used Carefully

Often people mistake a garbage disposal for a trash can. Unfortunately, these are two very different things. You cannot treat your garbage disposal like a trash can if you want to avoid clogs and jams. 

To avoid jams and clogs, ensure certain foods don’t make their way into your garbage disposal. These foods include:

  • Fibrous foods like potato peels, carrots, banana peels, and celery. 
  • Fatty foods like cream sauces, cooking oils, and butter. 
  • Hard materials like bones, seafood shells, and fruit pits. 
  • Starchy foods like rice, pasta, and beans. 

Ultimately, you can’t simply scrape everything off your plate and must be mindful of what you put into your garbage disposal at all times. 

Can Be Noisy

If you hate noisy appliances in your home, you might forgo a garbage disposal. Depending on the disposal you have installed, you might have a very loud or moderately loud disposal. 

Even though disposals are only noisy when operating, this can still irritate some people who like to have conversations in the kitchen during clean-up. Essentially, you need to decide if you’ll be able to tolerate a noisy garbage disposal before you install one. 

Garbage Disposal FAQs

Does a garbage disposal add value to a home?

If you’re flipping houses or considering potentially selling your house now or in the future, installing a garbage disposal is an excellent idea. This is because installing new fixtures like a disposal adds value to your home and makes it more attractive to prospective buyers. 

Buyers looking for these features will be pleased to find them and know they won’t need to make any post-sale renovations. 

Can you live without a garbage disposal?

The simple answer is yes; you can live without a garbage disposal. If you don’t mind having to do more upkeep and are happy with throwing scraps in the trash, not having a garbage disposal won’t affect you too much. You might even have a few benefits, like more storage space under your kitchen sink.

Is a garbage disposal really necessary?

Having a garbage disposal in your home isn’t necessary, but it is convenient.  

Speak With A Plumbing Expert At Scully’s Plumbing & Heating Today To Discuss Your Garbage Disposal Needs

Now you know the pros and cons of installing a garbage disposal in your Long Island home. If you decide to install one, you can speak with the experts at Scully’s Plumbing & Heating. Our team’s skilled plumbers have the experience needed to add a garbage disposal to your sink with minimal fuss. 

We’re also adept at undertaking garbage disposal maintenance. So should you decide you don’t want to do this on your own, we can help. To learn more about the costs involved and to ask questions, you can contact us or call 516-887-1122 today.

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