We offer repairs and installations for many important household appliances, such as garbage disposals. Because we’re also a professional plumbing contractor, we know a great deal about how sink garbage disposals operate—and how they might break down. Although we’re always glad to come to your assistance to repair a broken disposal, we always want customers like you to avoid these problems in the first place. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 4 items that you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal so that it can enjoy a long and productive service life in your kitchen!
#1 – F.O.G. (Fats, Oils, and Grease)
Perhaps the major enemy your kitchen disposal faces is this collection of byproducts of cooking. They seem harmless when they’re in liquid form—but they won’t stay liquid or harmless for long! As soon as they cool off, they change into waxy solids that will easily create jams inside the flywheel of the garbage disposal. They also lead to blockages in the pipes. Pour F.O.G. into a separate container, freeze it, then remove it to the standard garbage.
#2 – Actual Garbage
The name garbage disposal is a bit deceptive, since non-organic garbage should never go down into one. This garbage includes paper, plastics, cigarette butts, and anything else that isn’t food residue. This goes into a garbage bucket, not a garbage disposal.
#3 – Un-chewable Organic Items
Just because waste is organic, doesn’t mean your garbage disposal can grind it up. If an item is something that your teeth cannot chew—such as turkey bones, gristle, or unpopped popcorn kernels—then the grind ring of the disposal can’t handle it either.
#4 – Ice Cubes
Have you heard the advice that you can sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal by pouring ice cubes down into it while it’s running? It’s false! A disposal doesn’t have blades to sharpen; it uses dull impellers to hurl waste against a grind ring. Ice cubes are too hard for a disposal and can cause damage.
For all your home service needs in Durham, NC, call on Bud Matthews Services! We’re here 24/7 to handle emergencies.
