Protect Your Garbage Disposal —Avoid Putting These Foods Down the Drain!

March 8, 2017

We must completely understand what foods we should avoid putting in the garbage disposal

Ahh, the beauty of the garbage disposal, A magical device that makes every homemaker’s life easier. Simply put the food you choose to discard into your kitchen sink’s drain, turn on the garbage disposal, and poof! It disappears . . . right? Well, not quite.

In order to ensure that your garbage disposal both functions property and conserves energy, we must completely understand what foods we should avoid putting in the garbage disposal.

Pasta and Rice

Pasta and rice contain semolina, which, when in a garbage disposal, continues to swell. This will ultimately cause massive blockages in your drains over time and create future plumbing expenses. It may be beneficial for you to consider buying organic brands of pasta and rice, which are deprived of these coagulating substances.

Coffee Grounds

This by far is one of the worst offenders that we have come across when it comes to repairing or replacing broken garbage disposals. Instead of disposing your grounds in the disposal, we strongly urge you to consider composting this material. Or, there’s nothing wrong with tossing them in the trash.

Eggshells

Eggshells are a large contributor to increasing granular waste. This is especially bothersome as eggshells can easily be disposed of or recycled in other methods that won’t create plumbing damage for you.

Cooking Fat and Oil

Cooking fat and oil easily combines with the other waste in your garbage disposal, meaning blockages are more easily created. These blockages also contribute to nearly 50% of sewer overflows across the United States. Instead, oil and fat can be drained and stored for reuse.

Cotton Balls and Paper Towels

While cotton balls and paper towels are biodegradable, they often clog drainage pipes due to the moisture they absorb. Instead, consider replacing paper towels with washable, sustainable cotton cloths.

Do you have more questions about your garbage disposal and how you can keep it running properly? Simply call your friends at JTM Plumbing Service! We’d be more than happy to schedule an appointment to examine your disposal and give you our expert advice. Call us at 402-203-6193 or visit our offices in the heart of Gretna!

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11075 S 204th St,
Gretna, NE 68028
743 N 120th St,
Omaha, NE 68154
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