Garbage Disposer Don’ts To Avoid A Major Plumbing Problem

A garbage disposer is perhaps one of the most essential kitchen appliances. A disposal unit is electrically powered and shreds food waste into smaller parts. They make our lives easier and protect the house plumbing from being clogged.

It is necessary that you properly use and maintain the disposer. As a rule of thumb, anything which isn’t food waste should not be put into the disposer. It’s only for grinding food scraps. Other items can damage the blades and motor.

When in doubt, use this checklist:

1. Don’t allow anything combustible to enter the disposer.
2. Don’t dispose of cigarette butts.
3. Don’t grind plastic, glass, metal or paper.
4. Don’t let oil, grease or fat pass through as it will accumulate and obstruct the passage. This will also lead to clogged drains and you may need to call an organic drain cleaner service.
5. Don’t grind onion skins, corn husks, artichokes and other fibrous material. Their fibers tangle the motor and block the drain.
6. Don’t use hot water for grinding waste. It allows grease and oil to melt, accumulate and clog drains.
7. Don’t switch off the motor or turn off water when grinding is in process. Once it’s done, turn off the disposer first. Allow water to run for at least 15 seconds so it can flush out any remaining particles. Then turn the water off.
8. Make sure you’re not putting down too many potato peals at once. These peels are rich in starch and will turn into a thick paste upon grinding. The paste will cause the blades to stick, obstructing its movement.
9. Don’t put too much waste in the disposer, all at once. Feed the disposer small amounts of waste with cold water running at the same time. This will ease the flow down the drain.
10. Don’t put rice, pasta and other such food items down the disposer. These food materials expand with addition of water and will clog the disposer.
11. Don’t put large animal bones from beef, pork, etc. into the disposer. Small chicken and fish bones are alright for grinding.
12. Don’t put the coffee grounds down the disposer. It won’t harm the appliance but these grounds will clog the drain and pipes.
13. Don’t clean the disposer with harsh chemicals such as bleach and drain cleaners. These chemicals damage the blades and pipes. Instead, use Borax which is a natural sink cleaner. It also works as a sanitizer for the disposer and removes mold and mildew accumulated in it.

Want your garbage disposer to work effectively? Then call our Frederick MD plumbers for installation, repair and service. We also offer these services for water heaters, sump pumps, drains and sewers.