What Not to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen tool, but it’s not a catch-all for everything in your sink.…

Aug 18, 2024

The garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen tool, but it’s not a catch-all for everything in your sink. While it can handle small food scraps and some liquids, certain items should never go down the drain. Acknowledge Plumbing can provide guidance and pertinent information to help you avoid disposing of the wrong waste in your garbage disposal. This goes a long way to prevent costly repairs, clogs, and foul odors. Here’s a guide to keep your disposal running smoothly.

Grease, Oil, and Fat

One of the most common mistakes people make is pouring grease, oil, or fat down the garbage disposal. While these substances might seem liquid initially, they solidify as they cool, sticking to the inside of your pipes and the disposal blades. Over time, this buildup can cause significant blockages and foul odors. Instead, let grease cool and solidify in a container, then dispose of it in the trash.

Eggshells

There’s a long-standing myth that eggshells help sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal. In reality, eggshells can do more harm than good. The membrane inside the eggshell can wrap around the blades, while the crushed shells can create a sandy, gritty substance that can clog your pipes. Tossing eggshells in the compost or trash rather than risking damage or leak detection emergencies is best.

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Coffee Grounds

While coffee grounds seem harmless because they are small and granular, they can cause significant garbage disposal repair issues. When wet, the grounds tend to stick together, forming a thick, sludgy paste that can clog pipes and block the disposal’s blades. Over time, this can cause severe blockages that require professional intervention. It’s better to dispose of coffee grounds in the trash or add them to your compost pile, mitigating severe blockages and costly water leak repair services.

Bones

It might seem obvious, but bones are a big no-no for garbage disposals. The blades aren’t designed to handle rigid materials like bones. Trying to grind bones can dull the blades, jam the motor, and break the disposal altogether. Any bone from chicken, beef, or pork should be discarded in the trash to avoid leak detection emergencies and costly repairs.

Starchy Foods

Starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potatoes might seem like they’d break down quickly, but they can cause significant issues at your disposal. When mixed with water, these foods expand and become gummy, sticking to the blades and clogging the pipes. Over time, this can cause blockages that are difficult to clear. It’s best to avoid putting starchy foods down the disposal, as they can cause damage and garbage disposal repair or replacement emergencies.

Understanding what not to put down your garbage disposal is crucial for maintaining its functionality and avoiding costly repairs. Following these guidelines ensures that your garbage disposal continues to work efficiently and effectively for years. Contact us at Acknowledge Plumbing and schedule a consultation with our experts to maintain an efficient kitchen appliance that saves you time and money. We provide top-quality services, including water leak repair in Orangevale, to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.

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