Finding The Right Garbage Disposal For Your Home: Tips From An Experienced Plumber | Keller, TX
Food scraps form 10 to 20 percent of household waste in the United States. What’s worrying is that they contribute to public health, hygiene, and environmental issues. Fortunately, homeowners can use a garbage disposal to dispose of food scraps that make their way into the kitchen sink. A garbage disposal also makes kitchen cleaning fast and easy, and 44 percent of homes in the United States have a disposal unit.
Whether you are planning to replace your old garbage disposal or upgrade your kitchen with the modern garbage disposal, choosing the right one for your home can be challenging. There are numerous models available today, each with different features. This blog discusses some factors you should consider when choosing a garbage disposal for your home to ensure you get the right one for your needs.
Identify the Right Motor Size
The speed and power used by the garbage disposal to grind waste are determined by the size of the motor. A small engine allows you to dispose of fewer and softer foods, while a larger one will quickly dispose of tough food waste.
Compared to the small motor, the large engine requires more electricity to run. However, it’s worth considering it since it disposes of waste faster; hence, you won’t need to use electricity for long.
The motor size also determines the amount of space required under your sink. A plumber will install the garbage disposal in the under your sink. If the sink size is limited, the small motor would be the best option for you. It doesn’t take up much space, and a plumber can easily install it under your sink.
Corrosion Protection
The grinder’s blades can easily rust since the garbage disposal often comes into contact with water. When picking a garbage disposal for your home, you must learn the materials that make each unit or consult a certified plumber on the best materials to save yourself from choosing a model that will rust quickly.
Most plumbers recommend stainless steel; it doesn’t rust easily, saving you the cost of premature replacements.
The Length of the Warranty
Most garbage disposals have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Most warranties last for about one to ten years. You want to choose garbage disposal with extended warranties. The longer a warrant exists, the less likely you’ll pay for repairs.
You must also ask about the extended warranty when purchasing a garbage disposal. Some companies offer you the option to buy another over the usual manufacturer’s warranty.
Noise Level
One distinguishing feature of different garbage disposals is the manufacturers’ sound-deadening features. If you are looking for a quieter option, look for features such as insulated mounting baffles, nylon-coated grinding, or other sound-deadening technologies.
Brand
There are various garbage disposals to choose from in the market today. The most popular one is the InSinkErator brand, which has various garbage disposals in different sizes and configurations.
Other major brands include the Moen, Waste Maid, and Waste King. One advantage of these leading brands is that they have more extended warranties and their spare parts are easy to find.
Materials
It would help to consider the material used when choosing a garbage disposal for your home. Some of the best models are made of stainless steel parts that last a long time and even outlast the motor.
You’ll also find garbage disposals made of plastic parts, but they eventually dry out and crack. Plumbers advise homeowners to avoid galvanized steel units since they rust quickly.
Cost
The cost of the garbage disposal is a significant determinant when buying a garbage disposal. The garbage disposal price varies depending on the feature, size, type, and brand. Compared to batch-feed garbage disposal, continuous feed is the most affordable option.
However, the continuous feed installation requires professional installation by a plumber, while the batch feed does not require professional expertise. Despite being expensive, batch feed disposal can save homeowners in Keller, TX, on installation costs.
Safety
If you have children, plumbers recommend the batch-feed garbage disposal. The batch feed is safer since it doesn’t run until you place a lid on top. This lid reduces the risk of accidents in your home.
On the other hand, continuous feed disposal is not considered safe since once you turn it on, it runs continuously; hence, you don’t want your finger to get stuck in the disposal when it’s running.
Horsepower
If you have a large family or cook frequently, consider purchasing the higher horsepower models. The size of the unit depends on the horsepower you are buying. Garbage disposals with high horsepower easily grind heavy loads, prolonging the motor’s lifespan.
Motor Type
There are two types of motors; permanent magnet and induction. The most common motor is the induction motor found in many garbage disposals. Homeowners in Keller, TX, may prefer these motors because they produce less noise, are long-lasting, and are reliable. Meanwhile, the permanent magnet motors run faster when grinding small loads.
Size of the Grinding Chamber
When the chamber is bigger, more food can flow down. You may consider purchasing the bigger grinding chamber to save time and energy. This is because you won’t need to spend much time running your garbage disposal since the bigger chamber can take off all the large amounts of waste at once.
This feature assists in keeping the plumber out of your home since you won’t have to deal regularly with big pieces of food being logged in the drains and pipes.
Please Book an Appointment with Us Today!
If you are a resident of Keller, TX, and want to install a garbage disposal in your home, don’t hesitate to contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric. We are a plumbing company with a team of experienced and certified plumbers who offer garbage disposal installation and repair services. You can also depend on us for general plumbing, water and sewer testing, grease trap installation and repairs, and preventive maintenance. Call us today!
Photo By DUO Studio at Shutterstock