Why Your Garbage Disposal Needs Attention Before Thanksgiving

Why Thanksgiving Is Hard on Your Garbage Disposal

In Overland Park homes, few kitchen appliances work harder than the garbage disposal during Thanksgiving week. Between turkey trimmings, vegetable peels, gravy drippings, and endless plate scraping, the average disposal handles more in one day than it typically does in a week. That heavy demand often exposes weak motors, dull blades, or partially clogged lines, and those problems rarely show up until your kitchen sink stops draining halfway through dinner prep.

At Higgins Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we see more disposal-related service calls in the week after Thanksgiving than at any other time of year. The good news? Nearly every one of them is preventable with a few minutes of pre-holiday maintenance.

How to Inspect Your Disposal Before the Holidays

Start by listening carefully. A healthy disposal should sound consistent, not strained or metallic. Grinding noises, humming without motion, or longer run times are early signs of dull blades or internal jams. You can also perform a quick visual inspection. Turn off power at the breaker, shine a flashlight inside, and look for damage or trapped objects. While you’re under the sink, check for any signs of moisture or leaks around the connections and sink flange.

Run water into the sink, then activate the disposal to see how quickly it drains. If you notice slow flow or bubbling, that’s a red flag for a partial blockage deeper in your kitchen line, something you’ll want to clear before guests arrive.

Deep Cleaning That Actually Works

A thorough cleaning only takes ten minutes. Run a tray of ice cubes through the disposal while the cold water is running; this helps sharpen the blades and remove debris. Next, add a few citrus peels to freshen the system and cut through grease buildup. For an eco-friendly cleanse, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the mixture fizz for about ten minutes, then flush with hot water to clear residue and neutralize odors.

If your disposal has a reset button, check it afterward. A tripped reset means the unit recently overheated or jammed, another hint it’s struggling under load.

The Thanksgiving “Do Not Grind” List

Certain foods can destroy even a good disposal. Potato peels, pasta, and rice expand with water and form sticky paste that clogs pipes. Turkey bones, gristle, and celery fibers can jam or wrap around the blades. Grease and oil — even when poured hot — will eventually solidify inside your pipes, coating the walls and narrowing the passage. Coffee grounds and eggshells might seem harmless, but they build up over time and combine with grease to form stubborn blockages. In short, if you wouldn’t chew it easily yourself, your disposal shouldn’t have to either.

Smart Habits for Holiday Prep and Cleanup

During food prep, always run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal. Cold water keeps fats solid so they can be ground and flushed instead of coating your pipes. Feed scraps slowly rather than stuffing the chamber full at once, and let the water run for thirty seconds after you shut the disposal off to ensure everything is carried away. When it’s time for cleanup, scrape plates into the trash first — that one step prevents the majority of post-holiday clogs.

If you’re processing lots of leftovers, pace yourself. Give the disposal a few minutes between batches to clear completely before feeding it more material.

When It’s Time to Replace Instead of Repair

Disposals typically last about ten years. If yours frequently trips the reset button, overheats, or makes a low hum without spinning, it may be nearing the end of its life. Rust, corrosion, or water damage around the housing are also clear signs it’s time to upgrade. Replacing your unit in early November gives you time to get comfortable with the new one before Thanksgiving rush. Modern disposals are quieter, more efficient, and far better equipped to handle large households.

Older Overland Park Home Considerations

Many Overland Park homes built before 1975 still rely on narrow cast-iron kitchen lines that have accumulated decades of grease and mineral buildup. These older systems can’t handle the same load as modern PVC piping, making it even more important to be gentle with your disposal. If you live in one of these homes, professional cleaning or inspection before the holidays can help ensure smooth drainage all season long.

Keep It Running Year-Round

A few consistent habits can extend your disposal’s lifespan dramatically. Run it regularly, even when not cooking, to prevent rust and keep seals lubricated. Clean it monthly with ice, citrus, and baking soda to prevent buildup. And always stick with cold water rather than hot, especially when rinsing greasy pans.

Ready to Prep Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving?

Don’t wait for the holiday chaos to find out your disposal isn’t up to the task.

Contact Higgins Sewer & Drain Cleaning for professional garbage disposal inspection and drain cleaning throughout Overland Park and Johnson County. We’ll make sure your kitchen is ready for family, food, and festivities, not a plumbing emergency.