Garbage Disposal Maintenance

It's one of the least glamorous yet more hard-working parts of your kitchen--and when your garbage disposal isn't working properly, it can wreak havoc on your plumbing and even leave behind a pungent odor that pollutes even the cleanest of kitchens. To ensure your small yet mighty garbage grinder runs smoothly, keep these disposal tips in mind. And if you do encounter a problem, you may be able to fix it without calling in an outside plumber.

photo: courtesy HowStuffWorks.com

Note: Condominium, apartment and loft residents who inhabit lower floors in a multi-story building may be more prone to garbage disposal mishaps, even with proper use. Residents on higher floors who inject too much food--or the wrong types of items--in their disposals can cause back-ups that will eventually release a flooded menace on unsuspecting lower-level residents. If this happens, call in your building maintenance staff or a plumber to eject the clog and restore your pipes to working order.