Five Things To Know Before Having a Waste Disposal Unit Installed

Most people have seen the comedy/horror sketch of a diamond ring falling into the waste disposal. Of course, that idea is off-putting and may have prevented many people from having this useful piece of machinery installed under their kitchen sink.

A waste disposal unit is a great addition to a kitchen, as it helps reduce clogs in the pipes by grinding up certain types of food. So, it also reduces waste that goes into bins as well.

However, before you have one fitted under your sink, there are some key bits of information you need to consider, which will be discussed in the following article.

1.Plumbing Codes

When you’re considering having waste disposals or garbage disposals fitted, you’ll firstly need to check the local plumbing codes. Why? Well, some areas simply don’t allow these to be installed, or they only allow waste disposal units to be installed if they’re below a certain strength.

Also, for obvious reasons, if you’re renting your property and you want to have a disposal unit fitted, you’ll have to check with your landlord to ensure it’s acceptable to do so.

2. Power and Type of Disposal

As mentioned before, waste disposal units come in a range of sizes and power levels. Obviously, if you’re someone who pretty much lives in your kitchen cooking a wide range of food, you’ll probably need to have a disposal fitted that has more power than someone who only uses their kitchen to cook occasionally.

Generally, weaker waste disposal units have a hp of 1/3, and stronger ones have an hp of 1. So, consider your home’s waste and output when choosing a disposal unit for your kitchen.

3. Maintenance

Many people will have heard the advice, ”don’t put bones in the waste disposal,” and there’s a good reason for this! Even the strongest food disposal units can’t handle tough items like bones or greasy food. So, in order to ensure that your waste disposal works as it needs to, you will need to familiarize yourself with how to fix it if it becomes blocked and ensure that it’s clean and free of all potentially damaging items.

4. Installation

It seems easy enough, but fitting a waste disposal unit can be tricky and will usually involve some plumbing work to ensure that it works properly. So, if you or any of your family aren’t comfortable with plumbing tasks, you should hire a professional team or a plumber to fit it for you. This will prevent leaks and other issues, as well as come with an installation guarantee.

5. How Is The Plumbing?

Finally, before having a waste disposal unit fitted, you’ll need to conduct an honest assessment of your kitchen’s plumbing. If you have an older system that’s prone to clogs or leaks, then it may be worth addressing these problems before you add a disposal unit to your home. Why? Well, it’ll prevent the aforementioned issues further down the line, saving you money and providing peace of mind.