Most residential kitchens are equipped with a garbage disposal to easily clean up food waste. If your home is one of them, you likely can’t picture cooking and cleaning without one. Whether it’s unfinished meals or kitchen scraps, a lot goes into the garbage disposal so that you don’t have to worry about anything stinking up your trash can. However, this reliance on your garbage disposal system can get you in a little trouble.
Have you had problems with your jamming up? Have you had to call for Teaneck & Bergen County, NJ garbage disposal services too often to pull something out of the mechanism? If so, or even if you just want to be a diligent homeowner, read on to learn about how you can prevent problems with your garbage disposal.
DON’T PUT NON-FOOD ITEMS DOWN THE DISPOSAL
As plumbers, we understand that not every homeowner understands that a garbage disposal can’t actually be used for all “garbage.” That’s just not how a garbage disposal works. Many people picture this component as a “blender” and assume that sharp blades rotate around to chop up food before sending it down the drain, but that’s not quite right.
Your disposal system uses a motor that powers an impeller whose “blades” are really not sharp at all. There is a grind ring attached, though, and that is what grinds down food as centrifugal force breaks it apart.
So, things like plastic, paper, and other wrappers won’t get broken down in a garbage disposal. What they might do instead is slip through the cracks into your drains, posing a risk to your drain and sewer lines.
AVOID HARD FOOD ITEMS
Hard food items can include things such as meat bones and fruit pits. Your garbage disposal grinds down food before sending it down the drain, and won’t be very effective at all on these types of materials. Think about it this way: if you wouldn’t be able to chew it, then it doesn’t belong in the garbage disposal!
CONSIDER FOOD TEXTURE
Keep in mind the texture of the food you’re putting down your sink drain and how it might interact with your garbage disposal. Will it create problems for the mechanism?
For instance, stringy or fibrous foods are a pretty common problem for garbage disposals. Think about things like asparagus and celery. These could possibly wrap around the motor and cause it to jam up. Onion skins and corn husks also cause problems. Additionally, if something feels like paper it will act like paper in your disposal.
Beyond the Garbage Disposal
Since we’re talking about your kitchen sink, now’s a good time to mention a few other items that shouldn’t go down your drain, even if the garbage disposal can handle it. This includes:
- Pasta and Rice: These are foods that expand when met with water—which can end up creating backup in your drains. Be sure to avoid putting these items in the kitchen sink drains.
- Fats, Oils, and Grease: Also referred to as FOG, these create a sticky residue buildup that lines the pipes and leads to a higher likelihood of clogs.
- Coffee Grounds: This can clump together along with other items like FOG, creating blockages in your drains.
Call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating Inc. today for quality service and guaranteed satisfaction.
