The disposal of millions of tons of food waste that towns produce every year is a big challenge. Without a good garbage disposal mechanism, our cities would become filthy and stinky. The modern garbage disposal system has brought a big change and comfort to landlords and tenants alike. It is an efficient and more hygienic way to dispose of food waste and keeps trash bags lighter and garbage bins from spilling over. Their simplicity and solid construction make the disposal more secure and reliable, potentially crushing away year after year. But even this admirable mechanism can clog because of certain items. As an experienced plumbing service that offers garbage disposal installation and repair, Heiland Home Services is here to let you know about what you must avoid putting in your garbage disposal if you want to keep your pipes and drains open and functioning.
1. Pasta
As you know, pasta expands when drenched in water. For this very reason, you must not drop lots of pasta into your garbage and drains where it will, after all, drench in water and keep expanding.
It is the quantity of pasta that clogs drains; a small quantity sticking to the plates while washing them in the sink does not hurt. But don’t dispose of an entire pasta cooking pot into the drain, and whatever small amount you do run through the disposal, run the cold water afterward for thirty seconds to push it through the trap and into the mainline. Otherwise, you’re likely to run into clogging problems
2. Bones
Garbage disposals wonderfully grind up and dispose of food waste. But just because they can grind doesn’t mean they grind everything. They simply aren’t designed to deal with very hard items like bones. If you have dropped a chicken wing or fish bone into the disposal, don’t worry. Disposals are tough appliances and can grind up the infrequent small bone. However, if you drop a rack of ribs down the sink and grind them up, you’re inviting trouble.
3. Coffee Grounds
Never throw coffee grounds into your garbage disposal; it produces odors in the short term, and it can clog the drain in the long run. To comprehend why, imagine what used coffee dregs look like after they pass through a filter; they look like a dense, thick paste. And that is exactly what you must not let enter into your drain pipes. Instead of dumping them down your drain, leave the coffee dregs in the garden. It will keep the critters away.
4. Oatmeal
Much like coffee grounds and pasta, oatmeal is another expanding item. Uncooked oats, in particular, are likely to slip through the sink accidentally, only to amass and expand down-line. If you’re lucky, they’ll subsequently pass into the sewer. If not, you may find yourself learning some advanced level drain-opening skills.
5. Nuts
Peanuts are another garbage disposal threat. Never throw a handful of peanuts into your garbage disposal mechanism, as they may choke the system. Take a moment to imagine how peanut butter is made; you dump a handful of peanuts into a grinder, where you spin and mesh them into a thick, sticky paste. This sticky paste is an ideal substance for clogging the drains. Your garbage disposal is an efficient nut grinder. Minimize the number of peanuts and other types of nuts that drop into the disposal, and your drains will work far more efficiently. Peanut butter works well on sandwiches or to trap a mouse, but a disposal line full of peanut butter is a challenge to clean out and a potential threat to your drain.
6. Trash
Garbage is a misleading term. What we call garbage is not garbage. Talk to a professional commercial plumber, residential plumber, or any handyman, and you’d be shocked to learn how often they need to dig out paper towels, bags, wrappers, and banana skins that are a drainage threat. Once the drainage line is choked, you will need the emergency plumbing services of an experienced plumber to unclog the blockages.
7. Onion Skins
Onion, which is chopped, diced, or cut in chunks, shouldn’t be a problem for your disposal. The problem is posed by the thin skin that lies just below the dry exterior of an onion. That thin, wet layer is often removed before the onion is chopped and disposed of in the garbage disposal. But the layer is so thin that it can evade the disposal, miss the blades, and stick in the drain, where it acts like a freight net on a truck, catching more items and holding them in place. Fortunately, it is easy to dodge this problem. Just drop the thinnest outer layer in the garbage or slice it before throwing it in the garbage disposal. It takes a few seconds but can save you hours of labor or a costly visit from a plumber.
8. Eggshells
Can you throw eggshells into a garbage disposal? Yes, of course. But is it a good idea? No. The impression is that the shells somehow sharpen the blades. It’s hard to state where exactly this theory got started, but have you ever heard or seen anyone whetting knives and lawn-mower blades with a carton of eggs?
While eggs don’t help to sharpen the disposal blades, the shells themselves don’t impair the disposal. However, the next time you break an egg, take a close look at the inner shell. You’ll notice a thin skin on the inside of the shell that can harm a garbage disposal. Like the thin skin of an onion, it may get free and stick in the drain or around the rotor. Instead of tossing eggshells into the trash, you can dump them in your garden as fertilizer.
9. Pumpkin and Fibrous Vegetables
All fibrous vegetables, including pumpkins, are a drainage threat. Their long threads can catch on anything they come into contact with, turning the drainage mechanism into a sticky mess. Avoid tossing that mess into your garbage disposal and place pumpkin guts in the trash can. The same advice holds good for vegetables like celery and rhubarb. Throw long, stringy stems straight in the trash can to keep the fibers from causing a problem. But don’t worry about small pieces. When cut into pieces, the threads are too small to cause problems.
10. Corn Husks
Corn husks create a large amount of waste and, as much as possible, should go in the muck pile of trash rather than the garbage disposal. The tough, stringy husk and fine threads of corn silk pose a double threat for disposals. So whether your corn is bought from a store or homegrown, it will be a good idea to put its husk into a bag and make sure that it does not go into the disposal.
11. Pits
Peaches are delicious, but they have extremely hard, thick pits in their center. As a rule, if you don’t slice it with a sharp knife, it’s not going to break down into pieces in your garbage disposal. It may damage the blades, and you might be required to repair or replace your disposal altogether. If you make a habit of throwing tough-skinned items in the disposal, it could damage the motor or keep the unit from functioning properly.
12. Cleaning Chemicals
When we talk about cleaning chemicals, we’re not talking about dishwashing detergents. They are good for normal home use. The chemicals to avoid are tough drain busters and industrial-grade cleaners. They can exert excessive strain on your disposal and the drain line.
13. Paint
This is one mistake that DIYers are particularly likely to commit. Liquid or oil paint should never be poured down the drain. It can stick to the side of the disposal or choke the pipes, where it will begin to harden into an invisible clog. Again, a little paint heavily diluted won’t be a problem — as long as it’s diluted. However, brushes and rollers should be thoughtfully cleaned using an appropriate container, while bulk paint should be disposed of according to local regulations.
14. Potato Peels
Potato skins are thin enough to go past the disposal, possibly sticking in the drain. There, they can cause the same problems as the egg membrane, acting like a tiny catcher’s mitt, blocking the other waste, and creating a clog. Although you need not worry about a few skin pieces, many recipes need several potatoes, and the pile of peels quickly adds up.
15. Shells
Hard shells from the crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and oysters pose a common garbage disposal challenge. All of these shells are too hard to grind up properly. Some might slip through and have a chance to stick in the drain. It is recommended that you do not throw hard substances into the disposal; rather, throw them in your trash can.
16. Cooking Oil
Pouring cooking oil down the garbage disposal is a recipe for plumbing disasters. When oil cools, it solidifies, leading to clogs and potentially damaging the disposal system. Instead of risking a blockage, it’s best to let the oil cool and then dispose of it in the trash. For an eco-friendlier approach, consider repurposing the oil for future cooking or find a local recycling program that accepts used cooking oil. Fatty oils, like bacon grease, can often be saved and used to add flavor to other recipes. Other cooking oils can be filtered and used as fuel for lanterns or even diesel vehicles.
Safely Clearing Food Jams and Clogs in Garbage Disposals
To safely address clogs or jams, first, ensure that the disposal is completely turned off. For those unexpected jams where food scraps have gotten the better of your unit, your garbage disposal is equipped with a manual reset button located at the bottom of the unit. Pressing this can sometimes clear out minor issues immediately.
If the reset does not resolve the problem, use the special wrench that comes with your disposal. This tool is designed to fit into a hole at the center of the bottom of the unit. Turning the wrench manually can help free up the disposal blades from any obstructive food scraps preventing the motor from running smoothly. This method provides a manual way to rotate the disposal’s motor, potentially dislodging whatever is causing the jam.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance and Cleaning
For maintenance and to prevent future clogs, regularly use ice cubes to sharpen and clean the blades. Following up with a small amount of dish soap flushed with cold water helps remove any residual grease buildup, ensuring your disposal operates at peak efficiency. Regular garbage disposal maintenance not only extends the life of the unit but also prevents unpleasant odors and discourages pests in your kitchen.
Contact Us for Garbage Disposal Services in Hatfield, PA, and Nearby Areas
If you’re struggling with a clogged garbage disposal, or if it’s time for routine maintenance or perhaps a full garbage disposal repair, don’t hesitate to contact Heiland Home Services. Our expert technicians are equipped to handle everything from simple clogs to more complex issues, like malfunctioning garbage disposal motors. We’re here to ensure your disposal is functioning efficiently and safely, providing reliable service to homes in Hatfield, PA, and the surrounding areas. For all your plumbing and sewer services, give us a call. We’re ready to bring our expertise and quality service right to your doorstep!
