Common Garbage Disposal Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Plumbing

What a Garbage Disposal Is Really For

Your garbage disposal is there to help clear away small bits of food that rinse off plates and bowls. It’s not a blender, and it’s not a trash can. When you overload it or add the wrong substances, it can damage the blades, clog your pipes, and even cause leaks under your sink.

That’s when you might need a local plumbers in Los Angeles & Orange Counties to come out and fix the damage. And trust us—calling a professional costs more than just tossing food scraps in the garbage like you were supposed to in the first place.

Stuff You Should NEVER Put in Your Garbage Disposal

If you’ve been treating your disposal like a second trash bin, here’s a quick list of what needs to stop immediately:

• Grease, oil, and fat – They harden in your pipes and cause nasty blockages.
• Coffee grounds – They clump up like wet sand and can create stubborn clogs.
• Eggshells – The thin membrane can wrap around the blades and jam the motor.
• Potato peels and starchy foods – These turn into a paste and stick to pipe walls.
• Pasta and rice – They expand when soaked in water and can clog your drain lines.
• Bones, pits, and fibrous veggies – Think corn husks, celery, or fruit pits. They’re just too tough for your disposal to handle.

Toss these items in the trash or compost bin instead. Your disposal (and your wallet) will thank you.

Signs You're Damaging Your Garbage Disposal

Not sure if you’ve been overworking your disposal? Watch out for these red flags:

• A bad smell that won’t go away
• Strange grinding or humming noises
• Water is backing up into the sink.
• Leaks or puddles under the cabinet
• A disposal that won’t turn on or keeps tripping the breaker

If any of these sound familiar, you might be due for a garbage disposal replacement. You may also need a plumbing service to check for deeper issues in the pipes.

How Using It Wrong Can Wreck Your Plumbing

It’s not just about the disposal itself. When you use it incorrectly, you put your entire kitchen plumbing system at risk. Clogs from food waste can become stuck in the pipes, leading to slow drains and, in extreme cases, burst or leaking pipes.

That’s when things get expensive. In severe cases, you may require pipe repair to address damage that is deep within your plumbing system. And if you let it go too long, it could lead to water damage in your cabinets, flooring, or even walls.

Express Plumbing & Rooter handles calls like this every week. And more often than not, the problem could have been avoided with a little care and knowledge.

Tips to Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Good Shape

Want your garbage disposal to last longer and work better? Try these simple habits:

• Run cold water while using the disposal. It helps solidify greasy bits so they get chopped instead of sticking.
• Break large scraps into smaller pieces before grinding.
• Keep the disposal running for a few seconds after the food has disappeared to flush the pipes.
• Clean it once a week with ice cubes, a few drops of dish soap, and cold water to knock off grime.
• Avoid store-bought chemical cleaners—they can damage your pipes. Use vinegar and baking soda instead.

These tips can help keep things running smoothly and prevent the need for emergency plumbing assistance.

When to Call in the Pros

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, things go wrong. If you’ve a garbage disposal that’s making unusual noises, not draining properly, or emitting an unpleasant odor, it’s time to call in a plumbing service. It may be a simple fix, or you may need a full replacement of your garbage disposal.

If there’s water under your sink, or your disposal won’t start at all, that could indicate a more serious issue, such as a shorted motor or broken wiring. In cases like these, Express Plumbing & Rooter has the experience and tools to resolve the problem quickly.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If your kitchen sink is acting up or your garbage disposal just isn’t doing its job anymore, don’t wait for things to get worse. The sooner you call a trusted plumber, the less likely you’ll need major pipe repair or full garbage disposal replacement.

Express Plumbing & Rooter can help you identify the issue and get everything back up and running. Whether it’s a simple fix or a bigger job, they’ve got your back.

Take care of your kitchen and your pipes—because treating your garbage disposal like a trash can isn’t just bad plumbing... It’s a recipe for disaster.