Category Archives: Garbage Disposal

Garbage Disposal Installation Ashburn VA

How Garbage Disposals Work

Although an often-overlooked appliance in the kitchen, garbage disposals have a crucial function: reducing food scraps so they can flow out of a home’s pipes easily. However, do you know how this device works? Or the differences between various models? Learning about their components and functioning can help you decide on a product and service provider for your garbage disposal installation or replacement.

Homeowners in Ashburn, VA, rely on R.A. Dobson’s installation and maintenance expertise for numerous appliances and systems. With more than 45 years of combined experience in Northern Virginia, our technicians deliver outstanding garbage disposal installation services. Plus, our clients know they can expect the best service at a fair price. Call (703)-481-3700 or schedule a service appointment with our team today!

Below, we explain the parts and functioning of garbage disposal systems:

The Parts of a Garbage Disposal

Despite the different types of garbage disposal systems on the market, all have a few key components:

  • Hopper
    The hopper, or the grinding chamber, is a hollow cylinder that catches food as it enters the system. Every hopper has two parts: the upper and lower chambers. The upper part captures food, and the insulated lower one holds the motor that grinds food waste.
  • Flywheel
    The flywheel, a rotating metal turntable, catches food and prevents it from crossing into the lower hopper chamber until it is ground into small pieces and can pass through the holes in the grinding ring.
  • Grinding Ring
    Connected to the flywheel, the grinding ring – or shredder ring – is covered with sharp grooves that break down food on the flywheel.
  • Motors and Impellers
    A garbage disposal’s motors spin the flywheel and impellers (or blades) simultaneously. This motion pushes the food particles into the grinding ring’s grooves. Thus, the food is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces until it can slide through the holes in the shredder ring.
  • Waste Line Connector
    The waste line connector is the final stop before the food exits the disposal. After the food is processed into manageable pieces and slides through the holes in the grinding ring, it flows into the waste line connector, out of the disposal, and into a drain pipe.

Garbage Disposal Installation Price

Garbage Disposal Installation Ashburn VA

Whether you plan to gut and remodel your kitchen or simply need a replacement garbage disposal, a new model can require a significant investment. Yet learning the elements that factor into the total costs can help you recognize the importance of hiring a professional plumbing company. 

You can also speak to R.A. Dobson’s professionals about the various models, materials, and motor sizes. It is essential to hire a professional who is willing to be straightforward and walk you through the details of installing disposal in your home.

Why Hire R.A. Dobson

You must select the plumbing company that best fits your needs. For instance, customers come to R.A. Dobson because they know we deliver high-quality plumbing services (among others) at a fair price. With a 1-year service warranty and decades of experience, we provide exceptional work when you need it. We have provided services to Northern Virginia for decades and always ensure our customers receive outstanding service.

Garbage Disposal Services Available in Ashburn, Virginia

With the flip of a switch, your garbage disposal processes even the grimiest messes. Therefore, choosing a reputable plumbing company to handle your garbage disposal installation services and maintenance is critical. Serving homeowners in Ashburn, VA, for more than 45 years, R.A. Dobson provides top-notch quality and service at an affordable price. Call (703)-481-3700 or schedule a consultation today.

Garbage Disposal Installation Ashburn VA

What Types of Garbage Disposal are Available?

Homeowners can only guess how much gunk, goop, and slop goes down the kitchen sink drain. Such substances make garbage disposal systems a must-have for most households—at least those that want to avoid clogs. However, choosing the right home garbage disposal system can be challenging. Whether part of a general kitchen remodel or just an upgrade for your current appliance, learn the types of garbage disposal systems available. Then, schedule a garbage disposal installation appointment with the professionals.

With over 45 years of experience, R.A. Dobson is the go-to choice for homeowners looking for garbage disposal installation, single-sink or otherwise. Our team of experts can install your new system quickly and efficiently, so you have one less thing to worry about. Plus, our competitive pricing and exceptional customer service have made us a top choice for homeowners in Ashburn, VA. Call R.A. Dobson at (703) 481-3700 to schedule your home installation service today.

Below, we outline the several types of garbage disposals on the market:

Continuous-Feed Garbage Disposal

The most popular and recognizable household option, continuous-feed garbage disposal systems come with a manually engaged electric switch. The system grinds the disposed substances as long as it’s on and water is flowing. Some models offer other features like advanced grinding, splash guards, and more.

Batch-Feed Garbage Disposal

Less popular but safer than continuous-feed models, batch-feed garbage disposal systems require users to place a stopper over the drain before engaging the system. Doing so helps prevent anyone from reaching into the drain during operation. Once turned on, the system grinds the waste until it’s clear, then automatically switches off.

Septic-Assist Garbage Disposal

Septic-assist garbage disposals are ideal for homeowners that rely on a septic tank for waste management. Since septic tanks don’t process food waste completely, a septic-assist garbage disposal grinds up sink waste into small particles before the material goes to the tank. That allows the septic tank’s bacteria to break down the food it could not handle without the disposal unit.

High-Speed Garbage Disposal

Garbage Disposal Installation Ashburn VA

High-speed garbage disposal systems reduce the time necessary for food waste to become small enough to pass through the pipes. The grinding chamber and motor together turn the waste into fine particles. As the name suggests, high-speed systems are some of the fastest and most efficient disposal units available.

Multi-Grind Garbage Disposal

If you’re always in a hurry and need a unit that can handle most food waste, look for a multi-grind garbage disposal. These systems come with two or more grinding stages. Much like septic-assist and high-speed systems, multi-grind units reduce food waste to a greater degree than continuous-feed and batch-feed models, thus reducing the chances of clogged pipes.

Hire R.A. Dobson for New Garbage Disposal Installation in Ashburn, VA

Garbage disposals have come a long way, from simple continuous-feed units to the advanced systems we have today. That said, choosing a garbage disposal is more confusing for most homeowners. Fortunately, the plumbing experts at R.A. Dobson can help you choose the best unit for your needs and Ashburn, VA, home. To schedule your next garbage disposal installation service, just call (703) 481-3700.

Drain Cleaning Ashburn VA

4 Drain Maintenance Resolutions

The transition between one year and another is an opportunity to set productive resolutions and improve yourself and your surroundings. For instance, you could make routine drain cleaning services and maintenance a New Year’s resolution to prevent your home’s drains from clogging. You might even get more specific in your resolutions by determining you’ll have rusty pipes replaced and drain strainers added. Maintaining internal systems is essential to homeownership, so why not make it a feature of the New Year? 

Ashburn, VA, homeowners have turned to R.A. Dobson for professional plumbing services since 1975. Besides drain cleaning, we can help with faucet, sump pump, and water heater installations and repairs. Our dedicated professionals deliver the expert plumbing care our customers need at reasonable rates. Call (703) 481-3700 or reach out through our website for a free estimate request

Below, we outline 4 New Year’s plumbing resolutions you don’t want to skip: 

1. Replace Rusted Pipes

Rusty and grimy pipes are a horror every plumber knows too well. Pipes deteriorate from daily use and little maintenance, causing leaks and water damage. Yet replacing worn pipes with new, shiny ones can prevent such disasters as well as save you stress and frustration from internal leaking. And if you don’t need your entire plumbing system replaced, hire a professional to replace only the pipes that need it. 

Many pipes are composed of galvanized steel, which suffers from rusting and corrosion. Galvanized steel pipes crop up most often in old homes, but you should always have a professional check what kind of pipes you have before determining what you can do to improve them. 

2. Use Drain Strainers

Although some sinks come with a drain guard, that may not keep out food particles and oils that can clog pipes. Therefore, whether your sink has a drain guard or not, investing in a strainer can protect the health of your plumbing system.

This device can also combat the symptoms and effects of drain blockages, such as unpleasant odors around your home. Acquiring a few simple drain strainers is thus an investment in your home’s hospitality, aiding in proper drain cleaning and maintenance.

3. Get Your Drains Cleaned Now and Then

Drain Cleaning Ashburn VA

A nightmare scenario for all homeowners involves water pooling in the kitchen sink after intense dishwashing or puddling on the floor after you run water down the drain. If you hear gurgling noises as water drains or notice it takes a long time to drain, you may have a clog on your hands. 

Fortunately, a professional can clean a clogged drain. Expert drain cleaning is critical to owning a home and should occur routinely to avoid expensive leaks. Fulfill your New Year’s resolution: call a professional to ensure the health of your pipes and drains. 

4. Keep Grease Out of Your Sink

Oil and grease from cooking contribute to pesky clogs and blockages. Grease, lard, fat, and oil solidify when they cool; they can become entrenched in your kitchen sink and grow larger as more food piles on top of them. 

Instead of pouring it into the sink, wait for the oil to cool and then dump it into a safe container or foil for your garbage. It can be hard to prevent all grease from penetrating your drains, but running hot, soapy water in your sink can fight its solidification and buildup. It’s not the solution to breaking up unwanted oils in your pipes, but it can help move obstructions through your pipes and prevent minor clogs.

Professional Drain Cleaning Now Available in Ashburn, VA

Make pipe and drain maintenance your New Year’s resolution. Although your plumbing system goes unseen in your home, that doesn’t mean repairs are unnecessary. Hiring our team of experienced professionals to handle your drain cleaning needs is a must for every homeowner in Ashburn, VA. Follow your resolution and call R.A. Dobson at (703) 481-3700 for our plumbing maintenance and repair services.

Professional-garbage-disposal-installation-in-Sterling-VA-home

What to Know About A Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal can seem like an insignificant kitchen feature compared to your other appliances. However, the function it serves can have a big impact on many aspects of your living condition, especially if it is newly installed. If you are looking to receive a garbage disposal installation, replacement, or repair, call R.A. Dobson of Sterling, VA. We have over 40 years of experience in plumbing, heating and air conditioning services, highly-trained staff, and the latest HVAC and plumbing appliances available. Here are a few reasons why a garbage disposal is beneficial to your household:

Less Time on Chores

The main function of a garbage disposal is to grind up leftover food so that it can be properly washed down the drain. This makes it easier on you, as it will require less time for you to wash your dishes off. Washing away the excess debris through your garbage disposal also reduces the amount of trash you will need to take out. This makes your household chores that much easier to complete.

Range of Capabilities

Certain models of garbage disposals have different capabilities that could be better suited to your needs. For instance, continuous-feed models grind up old waste as you place them in, while batch-feed models have a helpful safety feature, which requires you to place a stopper over the drain before the disposal can activate.

There are also models with an auto-reverse feature, which immediately spins in an opposite direction whenever something jams up the machine. Other models with a higher horsepower can grind away bone and other hard leftover waste ensuring that you have no issues with pipe jams or clogs.  

Fewer Plumbing Issues

Although the garbage disposal models previously stated may be more effective preventing issues, having a garbage disposal in your home ensures you have fewer issues with your kitchen’s plumbing system. If you didn’t have one, there would be more pressure within your pipes due to the increase of solid pieces of food clogging them up. To decrease the chances of any plumbing issues occurring, be aware of the things you can and can’t put in the disposal. For example, small amounts of coffee grounds, bread crumbs, vegetable scraps, and tiny pieces of chicken or fish bones can be placed in the garbage disposal. On the other hand, large bones, pasta, rice, fruit and vegetable skins, and larger meat bones will cause serious damage to your disposal and plumbing system.

Get a Fast, Easy Garbage Disposal Installation in Sterling, VA with R.A. Dobson

Make sure that you get the most out of your garbage disposal through regular inspections, maintenance, and replacement. If you live in Sterling, VA and are ever in need of a high-quality and affordable garbage disposal installation, let R.A. Dobson provide you with top-of-line models and excellent technical plumbing services. Our experienced technicians are dedicated to providing the most efficient and personalized customer service possible.

Get a garbage disposal installation today! Contact us today at 703-481-3700 for a free estimate or scheduled service.