At the heart of every well-functioning kitchen is a great garbage disposal - just ask anyone who's ever had one break down! When the garbage disposal is running well and up to the task your family demands, then everything in the kitchen runs smoothly. If there's a problem, well...a malfunctioning garbage disposal disrupts cooking and the clean-up, can create unwanted odors, and it can put a strain on the garbage can in the kitchen. All unnecessarily. Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber in Denver has all the expertise to ensure your garbage Disposal does everything you require, keeping your household running smoothly.

It seems like such a little thing, but the in-sink garbage disposal is a complicated piece of machinery that requires expert installation and then regular maintenance to keep it operating at peak performance.

First, there's the selection of the machine itself. Most home in-sink garbage disposals are between 1/3 horsepower and 1 horsepower, and selecting the proper machine for your household is key to worry-free operation. The professionals at Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber can help you determine what's best for your situation and then handle the purchase of the proper machine as part of the installation. Then, of course, a garbage Disposal needs to be correctly connected to your home's plumbing system, and that includes a dishwasher drain connection that allows for food from the dishwasher to be ground up and disposed of through the garbage disposal. And, finally, a garbage disposal needs an expert electrical connection and an easy-to-reach switch for trouble-free operation.

On the maintenance side of garbage disposals, there are several considerations. These machines get used a lot, obviously, and occasionally something hard can clog the works. It's best not to reach your hand into a garbage Disposal unless you fully disconnected it from any electrical source, but often just shining a flashlight into the drain will reveal an obstruction, like a bread-bag tie or a coin, and you can pull it out with a pair of pliers. Most machines also come with a hex wrench that's often found attached to the machine, and turning the hex nut on the bottom of the unit back and forth will generally help clear most obstructions.

Garbage disposals also require easy regular maintenance to keep them operating at peak performance and odor-free.

• The keep the blades sharp, every week or so combine two cups of ice cubes and a cup of rock salt and run this mixture through the disposal with the water running. This will also help reduce odor.
• Another method of odor abatement is to take two cup of ice cubes and a cup of vinegar and run it through the disposal.
• One of the more popular garbage disposal odor cures is to put the rinds of citrus fruits - oranges, limes, lemons and grapefruit - through the machine once a week or so.
• There is also a specially designed garbage disposal brush available from most manufacturers and at hardware stores that can keep the blades and the drain clean, odor-free, and working properly.

Whether you need to replace and/or upgrade a garbage disposal, get one installed for the first time, need a repair, or simply need a garbage disposal tune-up to ensure your kitchen runs smoothly, the professionals at Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber can handle it in a timely manner at a great price.

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Call us or use our handy online inquiry form for complete details on any and all garbage disposal issues, including repairs, replacements, fixtures, upgrades and remodels. 303-340-3400.