Garbage disposals are a great way to process leftover food and waste without frequently filling your garbage can. However, you can’t treat it like a trashcan. Certain foods and items can cause severe damage that may require repairs or even a replacement from residential plumbing professionals. Below are several items that you should never put down the drain.

Items to Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal

1. Bones

Garbage disposals are powerful but not powerful enough to break bones. The blades can be damaged or broken trying to do so. If the bone becomes caught, it may also cause the blade motor to burn out. Small chips of bone may also be discharged back out of the drain and create a safety hazard. Instead, toss bones in the trash.

2. Coffee Grounds

While they may seem small and harmless, coffee grounds can create serious residential plumbing problems. They can become trapped in your garbage disposal and cake up around the blades. Worse, if they pass into your plumbing, they can turn into a sludge that coats your pipes and creates blockages. This could create the need to snake your drains or hire a residential plumbing professional to clear severe clogs.

3. Potatoes & Starches

Potatoes and other starchy foods become incredibly sticky when wet. They can wrap around your garbage disposal blades and keep the motor from rotating efficiently. Small items like pasta or rice will expand when wet and may also clog the piping below your garbage disposal. These items should be tossed outside or placed in a garbage can.

4. Grease, Fats, and Oils

Grease and cooking oils are two of the worst things to flush into your garbage disposal. They’ll become sticky, and like coffee grounds, will coat the inside of your appliance and piping. They’ll then collect passing food particles, creating problematic blockages. Further down your residential pipeline, they may eventually create pressure buildups that burst fixtures and create the need for complete plumbing replacement.

 

If you’re dealing with domestic plumbing issues in the Red Bud, IL, area, contact Poletti Plumbing, LLC. These professionals have served surrounding communities since 2004, handling everything from plumbing repairs to bathroom remodeling services. They also handle gas line installations and repairs, which you can explore further on their website. Call (618) 282-2558 today to schedule an inspection.