Simple Home Care: The Garbage Disposal

The powerful roar of your disposal’s motor may convince you it can take on any garbage you throw its way, but it’s important to remember that your disposal is not a trash can. Garbage disposals are designed to grind small bits of biodegradable food waste to help prevent clogged drains. Proper use and maintenance will not only extend the life of your appliance, but will also spare you unnecessary and costly service calls.

Do:

·         Small amounts of skinless, boneless, pit-less and non-fibrous foods are safe to grind.

Don’t:

·         Shells, skins, husks, rinds and other hard or fibrous materials should not be put in the disposal (e.g., clam shells, oyster shells, corn husks, fruit pits, banana peels, avocado skins and bones).

·         Large amounts of starchy foods (e.g., noodles and rice) should not be put in the disposal. Although they are easily ground, they expand in water and can clog drains.

Always:

·         Run cold water when operating the disposal. Keep the water running for at least 30 seconds after you turn off the unit.

Never:

·         Use hot water when operating the disposal.

·         Put non-food materials through the disposal. This includes all types of glass, plastic and metals (e.g., bottle caps, aluminum foil and plastic wrap).

·         Put harsh chemicals in the disposal or down the drain.

Sometimes:

·         Occasionally grinding bits of citrus peel helps clean and freshen the disposal.

·         Grinding a little ice once a month helps scrape away deposits and remove odors.

Running small amounts of egg shells or coffee grounds through the disposal is sometimes suggested to sharpen the blades; however some sources warn against the practice. Consult your user’s manual for recommendations specific to your model.

Important Information for Landlords

If you are an owner who leases your unit, we’d like to make the leasing experience successful and positive for everyone by informing you of your responsibilities. This will help preserve your property value specifically and maintain the association’s property value in general.

Your tenants may not be familiar with common-interest community living. Please take a few minutes to explain to them that living in a community association is very different from living in a rental apartment community. Specifically, your tenants, like all residents, are subject to the rules and regulations of the association, and it’s up to you to educate them and see that they comply. The association will assist you in this area, but the responsibility lies with you. We recommend you provide your tenants with written copies of all policies and rules and advise them on the proper use of the association’s facilities. You can obtain copies of these and other useful documents from the manager.

We strongly recommend that you have a written lease agreement with your tenant. As a lessor (landlord) of a home in a community association, the lease you use must require tenants to comply with the association’s governing documents. In the event your tenant fails to comply with these documents, including the bylaws, or its rules and regulations, a representative of the association will first contact your tenants in an attempt to remedy the problem. The association will send you a copy of any notice sent to your tenant.

If the tenant does not correct the violation, the association will contact you and expect you to remedy the violation using the recourse available to you through your lease agreement. If you are unable to correct the violation, the association may pursue appropriate legal action against the tenant, and possibly against you.

The association asks that you provide the manager with the names and contact information of your tenants. The association will add your tenants to its mailing list, and they will receive the newsletter, invitations to participate on committees, notices of social activities and general association-related information. This information will also be used in case of emergency.

Follow these simple steps and you, the tenants and the association will all have a positive community association living experience:

· Provide your tenants with copies of association rules.

· Educate tenants about the need to follow association rules, and see that they comply.

· Advise tenants on the proper use of association facilities.

· Use a written lease agreement.

· Make sure your lease requires tenants to comply with all association governing documents.

· Provide the association with contact information for your tenants.

Renters: If you don’t have a copy of the association rules or you’d like more information about the association, please contact a board member or manager.