While your garbage disposal can grind up a lot of biodegradable waste, there are a few foods it cannot handle. Instead of adding stress to your plumbing, throw these items away. Below are a few foods you should never try to grind with a garbage disposal.

4 Foods That Will Damage Your Garbage Disposal & Plumbing System

1. Coffee Grounds

While coffee grounds may seem harmless, the tiny bits can create a paste when they’re dumped into a wet drain. It can become a ball of sludge that is difficult to remove without the help of a plumbing contractor.

2. Bones

Bones from beef, lamb, and chicken are too hard to be broken up by the garbage disposal. They will dull the blades, making it less effective at grinding softer foods. Bones are also shaped in a way that makes them impossible to move through the drain pipes, so they will end up lodged there.

3. Egg Shells

Egg shells are another food scrap that can become stuck in the drain. While they can be broken down, the tiny shell pieces can remain in the bottom of the drain or get stuck on the disposal blades, eventually causing a blockage.

4. Pasta & Rice

Foods that expand in water should never be dumped down the drain. Not only will they expand in the plumbing when exposed to water, but the hardened pieces of uncooked pasta or rice will also dull the blades of the disposal.

When you need reliable plumbing services, contact the professionals at Chugach Sewer & Drain in Anchorage, AK. Their experienced team provides drain cleaning, septic pumping, and general repairs to keep your plumbing system in optimal condition. To request an appointment, call (907) 929-5072, or go to their website to learn more about their comprehensive services.