Your garbage disposal can reduce the strain on your plumbing by breaking down food and debris into smaller pieces, which can then pass safely through your pipes. However, there are certain foods that still shouldn’t go down your drain, even with a garbage disposal. While it may be convenient to scrape food off plates and rinse out coffee filters in your kitchen sink, your disposal can only do so much to prevent these items from eventually clogging your pipes. To avoid clogs and expensive plumbing repairs, try to keep these five food items out of your disposal and sink drains.
- Fats – Grease, oil and fat are some of the leading causes of clogged drains. Putting these items through your disposal can gum up your disposal. Plus, the disposal does not break them down any further, so they can still solidify in your pipes and cause clogs.
- Coffee grounds – Coffee grounds are too fine and dense to be broken down in your disposal. Avoid putting any excess coffee grounds down your drains, even when you use a garbage disposal.
- Vegetables – Some fibrous vegetables are difficult for your garbage disposal to break down. This can include potato peelings, celery and artichokes, all high in fiber. They can become lodged in the mechanism, causing it to jam and malfunction.
- Seeds – Fruit seeds and nuts can be too hard for a garbage disposal to grind. These items can get stuck in the blades and cause the motor to become damaged.
- Bones – Even small fish or chicken bones can be hard for your garbage disposal to handle. Keep these out of your disposal to avoid damaging the gears and motor.
By keeping these items out of your garbage disposal, you can help the unit last longer and avoid clogs in your pipes. If your disposal is not working properly, it could be due to build-up from previous foods that have done damage to your unit. Call your local plumber to have your disposal serviced or replaced.
Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
