Thoughts on under-sink garbage disposals

[NetWareHead]

I'm remodeling a kitchen in a rental unit I own. I've decided that a garbage disposal unit would increase the value of the home and offer a convenience to my tenants. Can someone recommend a good disposal unit with the following traits?

-something I can install myself. I feel PVC pipe for the drain is not hard to work with. That being said, I will contract an electrician to do the electrical connection, install the switch and connect to the breaker panel. I will be replacing the kitchen sink as well as part of a bigger kitchen remodel.

-I'm an out of state landlord so I want to minimize service visits. Something reliable that will last

-This is a condo and I don't want to clog the pipes and cause problems with neighbors on lower floors, something with good shredding power and design. For reasons of being in a condo, low noise would be a plus.

I've heard good things about insinkerator and badger brands.

Am I asking for too much? Thanks for any suggestions...


P.S. On a side note, I've been receiving lots of advice to NOT install these units in a rental situation. It seems all they are is a green light to a renter to shove something down the drain that doesn't belong there and either clog or break the unit. The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to agree. Any experience with these units in a rental situation?

 

[Jimzz]

If the wiring and lines are not already there then do not install, esp if its a rental. Most people over use the disposal and cause way more problems then they are worth.

Also why do you think it would increase value?

 

[NetWareHead]

If the wiring and lines are not already there then do not install, esp if its a rental. Most people over use the disposal and cause way more problems then they are worth.

Also why do you think it would increase value?

Well I think its because I was remembering the convenience I experienced growing up with these units, but we owned the house and tried not to abuse/clog the disposal. I think thats my error in this plan so far is NOT looking at this through a landlord's eyes and considering any future problems AND considering how some tenants act with other's property.

I have had good tenants so I have been majorly spoiled but I can see the point other landlords are making.

Also, it would be an easy install, the circuit breaker box is very close to the kitchen and would require under 10 feet of electrical wire for a new run to under the sink. Plus I just found a new great electrician who charges fairly, therefore I'm considering some new projects that relate to electrical.

Regardless I think my choice is almost made to not install a disposal in a rental unit, just wanted to check with any landlords here on ATOT.

 

[Brainonska511]

I'm not a landlord, but as a renter, I find a garbage disposal to be a nearly useless 'feature' in an apartment. It's also just another thing that can break and then have to call the LL about to get it fixed.

 

[Nintendesert]

I've had lots of issues as a homeowner only sticking things into my garbage disposal that should go in there. You really don't want to deal with this kind of stuff if you're out of state. When I rented and had one it was nice I guess, when I rented and didn't have one I didn't notice. It's not that hard to just shovel food into a garbage can and take it out as opposed to running that disposal.

I'd recommend you not bother with it.

 

[RagingBITCH]

The average ISE runs $100 for the actual unit. Why in the hell would it increase the value? Maybe it's where I live, but ISE's have come standard in every house built here since the '60's.

 

[skyking]

If the house is on a septic system and not the sewer, don't do it.

 

[Leymenaide]

I have a new home and I am a landlord.

I.S.I seems to be the only choice out there anymore. The plumbers that plumbed my house only use them. Saying that they have been back three times tightening the disposal. There seems to be a standards engineering issue with screw/bolt that attaches new disposals. I do not know if they have fixed it.

The Sewer department in Philly advertises on public radio to put your organic matter down the drain and they will recycle it for you.

I am married for 19 years and still cannot keep my wife from putting celery and potato skins down the drain. She will even throw large containers of pasta down it. She has a PHD and an MBA.

Do not put it in a rental.

 

[NutBucket]

Never liked ISE disposals. Waste King is the way to go.

 

[waggy]

no way it would increase the value of the home.

 

[Jimzz]

I have a new home and I am a landlord.

I.S.I seems to be the only choice out there anymore. The plumbers that plumbed my house only use them. Saying that they have been back three times tightening the disposal. There seems to be a standards engineering issue with screw/bolt that attaches new disposals. I do not know if they have fixed it.

The Sewer department in Philly advertises on public radio to put your organic matter down the drain and they will recycle it for you.

I am married for 19 years and still cannot keep my wife from putting celery and potato skins down the drain. She will even throw large containers of pasta down it. She has a PHD and an MBA.

Do not put it in a rental.

The f__k

Is Philly gonna come clean my clogged pipes in my house?

 

[NetWareHead]

The f__k

Is Philly gonna come clean my clogged pipes in my house?

I think Philly water dept means that the organic matter sent down the drain will be composted/recycled etc... at the waste water treatment plant. Alot of water departments use the extra organic matter as feedstock for generation of natural gas for electrical power.

 

[Jimzz]

I think Philly water dept means that the organic matter sent down the drain will be composted/recycled etc... at the waste water treatment plant. Alot of water departments use the extra organic matter as feedstock for generation of natural gas for electrical power.

Yea I understand that but pipes get clogged up all the time due to disposals. A lot of the waste sticks to the pipes, esp older homes, and will soon enough clog up and require a lot of work.

 

[mvbighead]

I wouldn't do it.

I just heard some conversation from my uncle who works on appliances. The things people try to put down their disposal would likely shock you. The remains of the turkey from Thanksgiving dinner... corn husks. Who knows what else.

If I was a landlord, the last thing I would want to deal with is a the pipe between each sink be stuffed with rotten, nasty food matter that plugged the whole thing up.

 

[gorcorps]

Did a garbage disposal touch everybody in a naughty place or something? I've never had a problem with any of them and like having it.

 

[Jimzz]

Did a garbage disposal touch everybody in a naughty place or something? I've never had a problem with any of them and like having it.

And you probably used yours correctly.

Rental + average person = high bills and headaches.

I don't use mine, I even have a filter on my drain, but I also own my home, ran the pipe myself when we built ther kitchen, etc... so I take pride in making sure my house is in good condition.
Idiots and people that have no attachment (rentals) to where they live cause problems.

 

[Nintendesert]

Yea I understand that but pipes get clogged up all the time due to disposals. A lot of the waste sticks to the pipes, esp older homes, and will soon enough clog up and require a lot of work.

That's why I routinely run drano down my pipes! :sneaky:

 

[Squisher]

This thread is enlightening. Since renters throw stuff in the garbage disposal they shouldn't I can only assume my wife is a renter. It all becomes clear now.

 

[Nintendesert]

This thread is enlightening. Since renters throw stuff in the garbage disposal they shouldn't I can only assume my wife is a renter. It all becomes clear now.

Depending on how she pays the rent, that might not be a bad thing. :sneaky:

 

[Mixolydian]

no way it would increase the value of the home.

This. Who really cares about garbage disposals anymore? That was so 1980's.

 

[Ausm]

Don't stick your hand in one!

 

[CA19100]

This. Who really cares about garbage disposals anymore? That was so 1980's.

Well, I'm a renter and I wouldn't live in a place without one. I use it literally every day, and I've never clogged one.

 

[OutHouse]

This. Who really cares about garbage disposals anymore? That was so 1980's.

millions of people care, you retard.

 

[OutHouse]

Well, I'm a renter and I wouldn't live in a place without one. I use it literally every day, and I've never clogged one.

If i was shopping for a house and if it did not have a disposal ok i can install one, but if its not wired for one, im moving on because it is a deal breaker.

 

[mizzou]

I love it. It's nice to use when I have just a slight amoutn of rice/beans left in a pot, I throw the hot water on and rinse it out in the sink. Everything gets "mulched" around and clean down the drain.