Disposal in rental home?

Question

What’s you’re opinion on insinkerators or garbage disposals in the kitchen sink? I’ve heard arguments that it encourages people to put things down the drain, but it’s also better than putting things down the drain without one.

Sylvia B. · Answer

My plumber says he loves garbage disposals in rentals. I have none in mine. Connect the dots.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@James York

I would not put a disposal in.  Way to many potential problems with grinding everything and anything.  It’s not a miracle appliance.  It cannot grind everything.  To much potential maintenance for me and I don’t think it separates the tenants from renting or not renting from you.

Jeff Bousquet · Answer

@James York

Hard no. Its just something extra to break and need maintenance.

Russell John Walsh · Answer

I don't put a garbage disposal and would in fact remove them. They are prone to causing leaks under the sink that the tenant easily might not notice. Also, I like to make sure the plumbing is in great shape and  clear the drains myself if it comes to that. A plumber I don't know or trust can do more damage than good. Just my way, but I used to carry  a general contractors license and worked in construction many years.

Pat L. · Answer

Whatever you do make sure the plumbing is 1-1/2 as soon as possible from the grinder & is 1 1/2 for the P-trap. Then have the 1-1/2 PVC feed into 2inch PVC drains especially if there's a lateral.To many 1-1/2 PVC 90's will clog!! & unless you can get access to the run it will be tough to clear. I had one recently that I couldn't clear with a snake, chemicals & water pressure etc. I had to cut into the 1-1/2 PVC & drag the snake through it to flush it. It was nothing but congealed FAT, coffee grinds & eggshells all in a 15ft 1-1/2 inch lateral.

Another I just had was clogged inside 2 walls after years from a combination of the kitchen & vanity sinks. In that case the many PVC 1-1/2 90's clogged with the proverbial sink rats. I tore it all out & went into a 2inch PVC run to a new 3" sewer & that was a LOT of work.

Kimberley Lee · Answer

I find the garbage disposal a very useful thing, I have it in my house already few years and never had any problems with it. Anyway I don't put everything in it, I don't want it to break!

If you want to decide which is the best, here you can find some info. I have the 1/2 HP InSinkErator Badger 5, so I would recommend it if you won't put everything in it, it's not a garbage bin, just something to help you with cleaning and the sink not to get too dirty.

Eric Bergin · Answer

@James York no.  They leak and people think they can run everything through them which just clogs them up.  If you have one and don’t use it, it will rust and stop working.  Remove and/or don’t install.

Karl B. · Answer

Whether or not you install disposals add this to your lease: toilet, drain and sink clogs are the responsibility of the tenant.

I added this to my leases at least a year and a half ago and never had an issue or call (and none of my units in PA have a garbage disposal though my units in MO (which I recently purchased) all do) as people are much more responsible when they know they're paying the plumber when they create a clog.

Matt M. · Answer

@James York

Why would you spend another $150-200 that you don’t need to, that will break, and you would likely replace or pay someone to remove and re pipe the drain.  Big no for me.

Lien Vuong · Answer

That's a hard NO for me, they invite a lot of calls and cause plumbing issues in my experience. One more motor that would break and that amenity is not going to get me more rent or a better tenant class.

Disposal in rental home?

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