Main Causes of Garbage Disposal Breaking

Fibrous Rinds

• Fruits and vegetables with fibrous rinds are one of the main culprits leading to the clogging and breaking down of a garbage disposal. Therefore, do not place any sturdy, fibrous rinds or fruit peelings containing seeds. Examples of these types of fruits and vegetables are strawberries, bananas, potatoes and celery stalks. In addition, the fibrous stalks of flower stems also can cause clogs.

Fats, Oils and Grease

• Do not under any circumstance pour any type of fat, oil or grease down your garbage disposal, which can lead to a clog in your drain or can cause a clog further down the system line and create a sewage backup in your neighbors' homes. Instead, collect your fats, oils and grease in airtight jars or containers. Drop them off at your community's oil recycling center, or dispose of them in your residential trash area if your county or community allows this.

Too Little Water

• Often garbage disposals break down because there is not enough water flowing through them when you are grinding food remnants. To avoid this, keep a steady stream of water flowing out of your kitchen sink faucet as you grind remnants. Turn off the disposal, and then turn off the water last.

Compost Instead

• Avoid garbage disposal breakdowns by using your disposal only when you really need to use it and by being mindful of the items you are placing in them. For example, placing potato peels in your garbage disposal can create a mashed potato-like clog. Instead of grinding potato peels, compost them in a bin in your backyard. Fruit and vegetable peels all can be composted, and you can use the organic byproduct that develops from your food remnants to create a healthier, more self-sufficient garden.