Does your kitchen sink have a garbage disposal? These handy appliances make it easy to dispose of food waste and alleviate the need to scoop out any slop that may have collected in the drain while washing dishes. However, if you want this product to retain its functionality, you have to be careful about what goes into it. Below are the five items that plumbing professionals recommend never putting down the garbage disposal.

The Top Items That Should Never Go in The Garbage Disposal

1. Coffee Grounds

While it might seem perfectly harmless to dump a recent batch of coffee grounds down the garbage disposal, it actually presents a serious risk to your plumbing system. The thick sludge that these granules form when mixed with water will clog the filters and coat the pipes until the water flow is completely backed up.

2. Egg Shells

Egg shells have a very thin membrane inside them that can be hazardous for your garbage disposal. If it gets loose during the grinding up process, then it could wrap around the mechanisms within the appliance and cause them to stop functioning as efficiently.

3. Potato Peels

Due to their slippery nature, potato peels aren’t as easily ground down as other food items. This causes them to simply spin around the garbage disposal until they get lodged and create a clog within the plumbing system that’s difficult to break up.

4. Grease

This particular cooking liquid tends to solidify as it cools down. Pouring it into the garbage disposal will only serve to evenly coat the mechanisms and the pipes with the liquid until it forms a solid barrier.

5. Cleaning Chemicals

It’s the harshness of these cleaning products that make them so dangerous to put in your garbage disposal. The combination of chemicals could cause the mechanisms to wear out prematurely and might even affect the plumbing system in such a negative way that would require a replacement.

If you’re looking for quality plumbing services, rely on the professionals at Osterwisch Company. With more than 70 years of serving clients throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area, this family-owned company has become recognized as the go-to for all the heating and cooling solutions. They strive to keep up with the latest industry developments and specialize in a wide range of services, including heat pump installation and water heater repairs. Call (513) 791-3282 to speak directly with a representative or visit their website for additional information.