Sink-mounted garbage disposal units are an American invention that has been around since the Great Depression, but they did not become a standard household feature until after World War II because the early versions were not exactly up to the job. It took decades of research, development, and testing before the National Association of Plumbing Engineers (NAPE) endorsed the installation of these units, which these days are deemed to be an efficient means of disposing of food waste.

Something else that prompts NAPE to recommend garbage disposal units is that they can effectively reduce plumbing issues by grinding food scraps into small particles that can easily flow down the drainage system. This translates into a reduced likelihood of plumbing headaches, such as clogged drains and blocked sections of pipes, caused by the accumulation and congealment of large food particles such as bones, corn husks, eggshells, and many others.

The Cost of Dealing With Clogged Kitchen Drains

According to a market analysis conducted by Bankrate.com, the cost of repairing a clogged kitchen drain runs about $300 to $400. This cost assumes that the issue can be solved with a professional service call that involves snaking or hydro jetting; if the problem is compounded by a blockage that extends to a section of the drain pipes, the cost will invariably be higher.

Clogged kitchen drains are far more common in city apartments and suburban homes where garbage disposal units are not installed. Even in exurban or rural neighborhoods where residents dispose of their food waste through composting, plumbers are still called to service kitchen drains from time to time because it is not easy to prevent all scraps from mixing with grease and oils and clogging things up.

The Cost of Dealing With Drainpipe Blockages

A plumbing service performed to clear blocked pipes costs more than clogged kitchen drains. The cost of this repair can vary depending on the severity of the blockage, the location of the blockage, and the type of plumbing technique required to fix the blockage. At the lower end of the pricing range, you are looking at a service call that will cost between $300 and $500, but this assumes that the blockage has not compromised the integrity of the pipes or their connections.

Things can get expensive with pipe blockages when they cause pressure to build within the pipe, thus causing it to crack or burst if the PVC material can no longer handle it. The blockage can also put stress on the fitting connections, which can eventually cause them to leak or break. When this happens, you are looking at a pipe replacement scenario, which could get even more expensive if the section and fittings to be replaced cannot be easily accessed under the sink.

For more information about the installation, service, and maintenance of garbage disposal units in the Oklahoma City, contact Col-Tech Appliance Repair Services.