A clogged garbage disposal can be downright frustrating. So what causes a garbage disposal to become clogged in the first place? Most people use their garbage disposal to get rid of food. Garbage disposals are often clogged because there’s little or no water flushing the food remnants down the drain completely while it’s being ground and sent into the waste line. This eventually leads to build-up in the drain lines. Despite what you might have heard over the years, not all foods can go into a garbage disposal. Below is a list of food items that should not be put down your disposal:
- Animal bones – Garbage disposals aren’t strong enough to break down the pieces of bone small enough to fit through.
- Egg shells – You may have heard that putting egg shells down the disposal will help to sharpen the blades however, this is simply not true. Because they get ground up so finely when put down the disposal, they get caught in the trap underneath the sink.
- Pasta and rice – These items expand when they come in contact with water causing them to gather in the trap until it becomes clogged.
- Potato’s and potato skins – The starch in potato’s causes them to become glue-like. The peels wrap around the disposals moving parts and can cause the pipes to become clogged.
- Fruit peels and rinds – Most fruits have thick, tough skin that will not break down easily in a garbage disposal. Small quantities may be okay, but you should never put large pieces down the disposal.
- Grease – Never put grease down your disposal. It will almost always harden over time and clog the drain.
Preventing a disposal clog in the first place can you save you from a big headache in the future. This means that you have to use plenty of water when you put food down the disposal to help aid in the grinding process. This works to rinse the residue that gets stuck to the sides. Also, be sure to dispose only small amounts of food at a time and avoid putting any of the food items mentioned above down the disposal. Contact Priority One Home Repair at (623) 505-7282 for assistance with your clogged garbage disposal.
