Serving Philadelphia, Montgomery County and Bucks County
Your garbage disposal is powerful, but it is not invincible. Lots of people assume that you can put virtually any kind of food (and some non-food items) into a disposal and that the mechanism will be able to easily grind up and get rid of the waste. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are some common items that, contrary to what you may think, you cannot put down a garbage disposal. If you do choose to put these items down the drain, be aware that you may damage, clog or break your garbage disposal, which will likely require the services of a plumber who is experienced in garbage disposal repair to fix.
What You Can Put in a Garbage Disposal
Let’s start with the positive. There are plenty of things that your garbage disposal can easily handle, leaving you without lots of food waste and a smelly kitchen. Leftovers from meals and cooked vegetables can both go into the disposal, as can cooked meats. Whatever you dispose of, be sure to use plenty of water to wash it down in between batches.
What You Can’t Put in a Garbage Disposal
You should never put grease or oil down your garbage disposal as these substances can clog up drains as they solidify. Additionally, starchy items can wreak havoc on your disposal’s ability to grind up materials. These types of food will expand when exposed to lots of water. If your drain is clogged, you might need to have a plumber fix it for you.
It should probably go without saying that most non-food things cannot be put down a disposal. Still, some people assume that trash like cigarettes and even plant waste can be handled by the disposal.
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The jury is still out on whether eggshells are ok to put down the garbage disposal. Some say that the eggshells are good for the blades of the disposal and have a sharpening effect. Others warn of the tough membrane inside the shell, which can possibly get stuck on the blades. Ask your plumber what their opinion is on this controversial topic.
Vegetables with lots of fiber, like celery, lettuce and onion skins, are another maybe. There is always a possibility that the fibrous strands will clog the disposal, so be cautious and use plenty of water if you have to dispose of this type of vegetable.
Fixing Broken Garbage Disposals
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and even if you are careful about what you put in it, your garbage disposal may still clog. You shouldn’t always try to fix it yourself as this can result in injury. Call an experienced plumber who can help you with garbage disposal repair and advise you on how you can avoid problems in the future.
Why Choose Goodman Plumbing
With Offices in Featerville Trevose & Philadelphia PA
Goodman Plumbing is a second generation company that has over 6 decades of experience and outstanding growth. Recognized as one of the best plumbing companies in the Delaware Valley, Goodman Plumbing’s achievements are the result of our family values that are part of every project no matter how large or small. This is why it is extremely important to us that we treat our customers like family. So if you need sewer line repair, toilet repair, well service or even water damage restoration contact us today and schedule your next appointment! Serving Abington, Willow Grove, Horsham, Fort Washington, Feasterville Trevose, Langhorne, Yardley, Newtown, Richboro, Warrington, Doylestown, New Hope, Chalfont, Lansdale, King of Prussia, Wayne, Havertown, Springfield and surrounding!
