Plumbing Tips – Proper Use of the Garbage Disposal

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Without a garbage disposal, people would be taking the trash out a lot
more often. Food left in trash cans draws bugs and can begin to smell
really unpleasant as soon as the next morning. The garbage disposal
takes care of that problem, in many instances. Shove the uneaten food
down the drain, flip the switch, and like magic, the food is cut up and
sent on its way. Unfortunately, the garbage disposal isnÂ’t meant for
everything and misuse of this handy appliance can lead to a major
plumbing problem if you arenÂ’t careful. Here are some things that should
never go down the disposal.

To avoid plumbing problems, avoid putting any kind of rice or pasta down
the garbage disposal. These cannot be chopped up beyond a certain
point, and that point wonÂ’t be sufficient to take away its amazing
water-soaking properties. Because of these properties, pasta and rice
tend to swell up and get caught in the trap below the disposal. When
enough bits accumulate, it can cause the trap to almost completely
close, meaning a clog. Throw leftover rice and pasta in the trash. It
wonÂ’t attract bugs in the way other food items will and unless covered
in a degradable sauce, it wonÂ’t smell the next morning.

The next thing you should never put down the kitchen drain is grease of
any kind. Doing it on a regular basis is just asking for a clog
eventually. Grease will stick to the sides of the pipes and when it
dries out, it creates a thick lard that water will not be able to
penetrate. You can avoid some of the major kitchen plumbing problems by
never putting grease down the drain. If itÂ’s a small amount of grease,
seal it up in a jar and throw it out.

Chicken and steak bones should never go down in the disposal. This is a
one way ticket to replacing the disposal altogether. The blades of the
disposal are quite adept at cutting up smaller chunks of soft food, but
they are not nearly strong enough to handle animal bones. Throw these
out and save having to purchase a new garbage disposal system.

Most plumbing problems in the kitchen can be avoided by using some
discretion when it comes to the use of appliances like the garbage
disposal. Though it is one of the most helpful machines in the kitchen,
donÂ’t expect it to do miracles. Sometimes, the trash can is the best
alternative.

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The garbage disposal is one of the most helpful appliances in the
kitchen. To avoid breaking it or creating some major plumbing problems,
follow these tips that show what not to put down the drain.