What foods and liquids can be safely disposed of in drains and garbage disposals, and which can wreak havoc? Plumbing contractors are familiar with this question. Garbage disposals, in particular, are often treated as a catch-all trash bin, a place for people to throw all kinds of foods, oils, and other waste. But some of these items are asking for trouble. Here are the top four things you should avoid putting into your garbage disposal, according to plumbing contractors. 

Top 4 Items You Should Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal

1. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds may look like a perfectly reasonable candidate for garbage disposal treatment, but the grounds are surprisingly destructive in your plumbing. They don't always travel through the pipes smoothly, instead collecting underneath the disposal, turning to sludge and becoming the primary culprit for future clogs. 

2. Onions & Celery

These two innocent-looking vegetables have a nasty habit of wrapping around the disposal's blades, weakening their sharpness and efficiency over time. 

3. Grease & Oil

Many people are guilty of pouring oil and grease into their garbage disposals. While this may seem like a logical way to dispose of them, there are two major problems for the appliance: grease and oil cover the blades in an increasingly thick goo that reduces their cutting power, and as water-resistant substances, grease and oil sit in the pipes, thickening over time. 

4. Bones

Chicken, turkey, and any other animal bones are just too tough for the disposal's teeth to grind. They'll most likely just slip through the blades and tumble down your pipes, potentially laying the groundwork for clogs and other plumbing issues in the future. 

Homeowners looking for quality, dependable electrical and plumbing contractors in Alabama's Coffee and Dale counties should reach out to the team at Miller & Humphrey Plumbing & Electric Inc. This highly versatile company handles everything from plumbing issues to rewiring and installation services, and they always keep a deep inventory of spare parts on hand when executing repairs. The community knows and trusts these professionals to get their homes back to working order with a smile. Visit the plumbers and electricians on their website to learn more, or call directly at (334) 347-9212.