Garbage disposal systems have been part of home appliances most homeowners depend on. The increased use of this tool helped save people time and effort in cleanup. Installing one correctly can be a complex task, and therefore, better left with an experienced plumber.
This has become an alternative to manually scraping down leftovers and sending them to landfills or composts. Reducing waste on your end while saving you energy is promising. So today, we’ll talk about the garbage disposal system, its pros and cons, and whether or not this should be installed inside your home.
What is a Garbage Disposal System?
A garbage disposal system allows busy homeowners like you to scrape dirty dishes and leftovers straight into the sink without having to worry about clogging the pipes.
This unit is usually mounted on the side of the sink and is designed to collect the food waste that goes into its grinding chamber. When you turn on the disposal, a spinning disc turns rapidly, thus resulting in pulverized food that can get washed away with water.
Installing Your Garbage Disposal System

Installing a garbage disposal unit can be easy for experienced DIYers. However, it can become challenging for newbies or inexperienced handymen.
If you’re wondering, why do I need a plumber to install a garbage disposal? The answer is simple: Yes, you do. The installation process can be complex and confusing, and getting a garbage disposal plumber will make your life easier.
More than the installation, a plumber can pretty much help in all kinds of work around your garbage disposal and plumbing services.
- Who installs garbage disposals? Plumbers!
- Do plumbers replace garbage disposals? Yes!
- Do plumber fix garbage disposals? Another, Yes!
Reasons to Hire a Plumber for Installation
The ease and convenience experts offer for garbage disposal installation is incomparable. We list down 3 main reasons why hiring a plumber is your best choice.
Expert Advice
A garbage disposal is a plumbing tool and therefore should be installed by a plumber. They are technically more knowledgeable on this appliance than anyone and they could advise you which one can best fit your home and lifestyle.
Save Time and Money
You can save time and money when you hire a plumber instead of someone else. You get to pay for one service instead of two. This is because when a plumber does the installation, they also connect it straight to your plumbing system.
Proper Installation and Troubleshoot Issues
Hiring a plumber ensures your unit is properly installed. They can also help tackle any complex problems that may arise during and after the installation.
Types of Garbage Disposals
There are primary two types of garbage disposal systems – batch feed and continuous feed disposals. Both are excellent options to make your life easier and cleaner, with the main difference being how they are installed and how they operate.
Batch Feed Garbage Disposals
This type of disposal is a total kitchen workhorse – it can handle a lot of food scraps at once. Though it’s not common to find these at most homes, the safety features it offers are an impeccable choice if you have kids around.
Since it’s a large-type disposer, the motor is well-insulated and works quietly compared to others. There is no activation switch for this one, the only way to use this is to close the stopper over the drain. Works great in protecting your fingers, and avoiding objects from falling into the hidden shredder ring and impellers inside.
The batch feed disposal works by putting in the food waste and water and then closing it with the magnetic stopper to start the operation. Food debris remains within the hopper providing you with a cleaner kitchen.
Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
This unit, on the other hand, lets the user multitask. As the name suggests, you can continuously feed the garbage disposal unit while the motor is running. This can be a cost-effective option since they are more affordable than a batch feed unit.
Since continuous feed units allow you to drop in wastes as it run, its chamber is not as big as a batch-feed unit. The drain is also left open for this purpose. This type of disposal is more common in households because of its size which fits most apartment units.
Unlike batch-feed units that run by putting in the magnetic stopper, continuous feed disposals are controlled by either the classic switch, which requires an electric switch to be installed near the kitchen sink, or by an air switch.
Things You Should Never Put in Garbage Disposals
It can be confusing as to what to put and not put in your garbage disposal. However, being mindful of using it will definitely help prolong the lifespan of your unit. Garbage disposals run for an average of 10 to 12 years, and to maximize this time, you should know what goes in and not of your system.
Meat and Bones
Meat should not be put in your disposer – it can stick on the sides, rot, and stink up your sink. Meat remnants should be thrown away in the trash instead. Bones, except for small fish bones, should also stay away from your disposal. Your unit is not strong enough to grind bones and putting them in can destroy the whole garbage disposal system.
Starchy Food
Rice, pasta, oatmeal, and bread can’t go in your disposer as well. These starchy foods expand when wet and can become gelatinous which will eventually block up the drain.
Grease, Oil, or Cooking Fat
With or without a garbage disposal unit, you should never pour this over the drain – not even with hot water. When oil becomes cold, it solidifies, and later on can block your pipes causing a mess and possible plumbing issues.
Fibrous Foods
Pumpkin, chard, celery, kale, lettuce, artichokes, and asparagus are some of the most common fibrous foods you should avoid putting in your kitchen disposer. Their stringy material can possibly tangle up and jam the unit. If this accidentally happens, you should unclog your garbage disposal immediately.
Shells, Nuts, and Peels
All kinds of nuts, egg shells, and vegetable peels should stay away from your disposal as well. These bits can dull the blades inside and clog the unit. Also, avoid putting corn husks, fruit pits, and cores.
Coffee Grounds
These grounds can clump up together when wet and form a mass that can clog your disposer.
Non Food Items
Always do a quick check on the items you would be putting at your disposal before turning it on. This will prevent accidents with stray spoons, forks, napkins, or other nonfood items from going into the disposer.
Pros and Cons of Having a Garbage Disposal
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of disposers. Let’s assess if the convenience of a garbage disposal for homeowners outweighs the drawbacks.
Pros:
- Convenience – clean up after cooking and meals is relatively faster and easier with using a garbage disposal system. With this, small amounts of food debris can be scraped down directly into the sink without having to throw it in the trash.
- Waste reduction – 20% of garbage that goes into landfills comes from households. And the food waste that goes into the disposer is waste that’s kept away from the landfill.
- Drain and pipe protection – the garbage disposer installed in your sink prevents food debris from blocking and clogging your drainage and pipes.
- Cost-effective – the average household will probably spend around $125 to $300 for a disposer. With proper installation and maintenance, this unit can last up to 10 years.
- Easy to maintain and operate – garbage disposals are relatively easy to use and maintain – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you’re good to go.
Cons:
- Careful use – despite the name, a garbage disposal is not a trash can. You can’t simply put any kind of food waste into it. How you run it should matter as well, because this predetermines the lifespan your disposer will last.
- Regular maintenance – like any other appliance you have at home, your garbage disposal will need to be cleaned and properly maintained to keep working properly. Grinding ice cubes made of vinegar or lemon can freshen up your disposer.
- They can clog, jam, or break – with all the stuff that goes into the disposer, it’s almost inevitable to keep it from clogging, jamming, or breaking. A quick fix can sometimes be a simple press of the reset button, or at more difficult issues, a call to the plumber.
Choosing the Right Garbage Disposal for Your Home
The best type of garbage disposal is one that fits your kitchen sink, use, and budget. The right one can vary from one home to another – depending on your circumstances and preferences.
Some features you should consider before buying are:
- Motor size
- Material
- Brand
- Quality
- Warranty
- Noise Level
- Septic System Enzymatic Reservoir
If you don’t know what to choose, we suggest you call a professional plumber to install a garbage disposal unit that will fit your kitchen and lifestyle perfectly.
Need any garbage disposal help? Who to call for garbage disposal repair? Well, we’re here to cater to your plumbing needs.
The number 1 in Los Angeles – Pacific Plumbing Team. We offer all kinds of plumbing installations including garbage disposal services. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to take on the job.
You’re one call away from getting professional plumbing. Get your phone and make the call today!