As a plumbing business that provides residential, commercial and new construction services, we understand that plumbing systems are composed of a variety of different components. And with that being the case, there are more than a few potential plumbing projects that can pop up from time-to-time. Installing new plumbing fixtures, repairing issues with existing fixtures or even just routine maintenance are a few examples of that!

When it comes to your plumbing system in the kitchen, there are a handful of components that you’ll want to keep tabs on. One of these that can definitely serve an important role is the garbage disposal. So…as a homeowner, what do you need to know about your garbage disposal and when it comes time to purchase a new one, how can you ensure that you get a reliable one? In this week’s blog post, we’ll answer those exact questions and hopefully provide some clarity when it comes to this important plumbing component.

For anyone that may be stopping by our plumbing blog for the first time, welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! As mentioned above, our North Kansas City-based plumbing business offers residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services throughout the KC area. Sewer line repair, water heater installation, drain cleaning, the list goes on when discussing the different plumbing projects that our team works on! If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need help on anything plumbing-related, feel free to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.

Now…let’s talk about a few things to help ensure you get the right garbage disposal!

Lean on the Experts

No matter if it’s a new faucet, water heater, water softener or anything else, it’s never a bad idea to ask your local plumbing company for recommendations on which products you should have installed. They’ll have experience working with the various brands and can help steer you in the right direction as to which ones make the most sense for your situation. In regards to the garbage disposal, they can assist you in deciding which brand is best for you, as well as the size of the garbage disposal that you need. All in all, don’t hesitate to lean on the experts for garbage disposal recommendations!

Motor Size

The most important attribute that you’ll find yourself taking into account with a new garbage disposal is the motor size. This is the amount of horsepower the garbage disposal possesses and will undoubtedly factor into the equation. So…in case you’re unfamiliar with the common sizes that garbage disposals come in, here they are (along with an estimated number of household occupants that would coincide with the different sizes):

1/3 HP – The smallest garbage disposal that you’ll typically find is 1/3 HP. This size should be sufficient for households with 1-2 people.

1/2 HP – Next on the list is a 1/2 HP garbage disposal. This motor size will be good for households with 2-4 people.

3/4 HP – Need a little more power? A 3/4 HP should work just fine for households up to 5 people.

1 HP – For households with over 5 people, it wouldn’t hurt to look into a 1 HP garbage disposal.

Everyone’s situation is different and some households may use their garbage disposal more frequently than others. Nonetheless, the numbers above should give you some baseline figures to work off of. Aside from this, if you’re looking for a garbage disposal to be used in a commercial kitchen, you may need a little more HP and as a result, might want to consider bigger options like 2 or 3 HP units. Each of the motor sizes above (1/3 HP through 1 HP) are designed primarily for residential houses, but you can find 2 or 3 HP garbage disposals for commercial kitchens. While they do come at a higher price tag, the added horsepower is sometimes necessary for certain scenarios.

Amount of Noise

While motor size is likely the most important part of a new garbage disposal, for some homeowners, the actual noise level is a key factor worth considering too. If you’re someone who wants a garbage disposal that is both reliable and can operate without making a lot of noise, then you’ll be glad to know that there are options designed for this exact purpose. In particular, I would like to highlight the Quiet Series from InSinkErator. At the end of this blog post, you’ll find that we mention InSinkErator as our go-to garbage disposal option that we recommend to customers. While they’re effective and reliable (which is a must for anything in the plumbing world), we also love how they’re constantly innovating to bring better products to the market. Their Quiet Series garbage disposals (available in 3/4 HP and 1 HP sizes) utilize advanced technology to achieve excellence in terms of performance, all while doing so at a reduced noise level. A true win-win, right? If you’re looking for a garbage disposal that has it all, these are the ones to consider!

How Long Should a Garbage Disposal Last?

Whenever you have something new installed for your plumbing system, it never hurts to have an idea of how long each individual item can be expected to last. In regards to garbage disposals, most units are going to last around 10 years. Remember though, there are quite a few different things that will impact just how long your garbage disposal ends up lasting. For instance, if you’re constantly putting things down the disposal that shouldn’t be, you could soon be facing issues there! Likewise, if you notice your garbage disposal getting clogged more and more often, that could also be a sign that it will need to be replaced in the near future. Additionally, the motor can even go bad over time too. In the end, no garbage disposal is built to last forever and depending on how often you use yours (as well as staying on top of maintenance), you may see more or less than the estimated 10 years mentioned above.

Space Needed

As we wrap up this week’s blog post, a final variable that you’ll want to take into account is the size of the garbage disposal and how much space you have available under the sink. This might require you to do a little measuring, as some homeowners may have more available space than others, but it is nonetheless something you’ll want to consider ahead of time. Keep in mind that garbage disposals can vary in physical size from brand-to-brand.

Garbage Disposal Services in Kansas City

Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, it goes without saying that our team has installed more than a few garbage disposals over the years and feel confident recommending the units from InSinkErator (which we briefly highlighted above). InSinkErator is a household name in the garbage disposal industry and was actually started by John W. Hammes, who invented the first garbage disposal. To sum it up, their products come in all of the popular HP sizes and they even have a line of products that emphasize operating quieter than normal disposals. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with an InSinkErator garbage disposal.

Need a garbage disposal installed for your home or business? If so, we would be happy to help out and answer any questions that you may have. To request a free estimate, feel free to give our team a call at (816) 348-3481.