Your kitchen sink might look like it can handle anything, but once food starts going down the drain, things can get messy fast. A lot of plumbing problems can start with your small, everyday habits. One of the biggest issues that people run into is letting the wrong foods slip down the drain. Even with a garbage disposal, your pipes are not built to digest everything you throw at them. So be sure to be careful what goes down your drains in order to avoid plumbing issues in the future.
Grease and Oils
Out of all the food and residues out there, grease is the worst offender. It goes in as a liquid when it is hot, but once it cools inside your pipes, it solidifies. This creates sticky buildup that grabs onto other debris that gets washed down your sink. Before long, your sink drains slower, or not at all because of all the build up. Even the smallest amounts add up. Things like bacon grease, butter, and even salad dressing can contribute to any number of blockages over time. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing them. This can help to save your pipes and your plumber some trouble.
Starchy Foods
Food items like pasta, rice, and potatoes may seem harmless at first. They are soft and malleable, but they have a tendency to expand when they get wet and turn into a mush that clings to pipe walls. That mush traps other debris and things that go down the drain and will slow everything down. If a single spoonful of mashed potatoes ends up in the disposal, it won’t wreck your system. But if you are making a habit of rinsing leftovers down the sink, it is just asking for a clog later on down the line.
See also: Expert Flooring Installation Services for a Beautiful Home
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are one that often surprises people. Coffee grounds seem small enough to slip through without issue, but they clump together once they get wet. Inside your pipes, they can form dense, sludgy clogs. Instead of putting them down the drain, compost them or toss them in the trash. Your plumbing will last longer, and your drains will stay way cleaner.
Eggshells
When it comes to eggshells, they might break down eventually but they will not be able to break down fast enough. The shell particles can get caught in grease or food residue and create clumps. Plus, the membrane inside the shell can wrap around parts of your disposal. All of those issues can turn into a headache you don’t want to deal with.
Fruit Peels and Veggies
Peels from oranges, bananas, or potatoes can jam up your garbage disposal. Celery, corn husks, and asparagus are even worse. Their stringy fibers can wrap around the blades and cause the motor to overheat. If it sounds like your disposal is grinding forever and getting nowhere, this might be why.
Plumbers In Your Area
If you have already put these things down the drain, don’t panic. Most clogs can be cleared out quickly. But if water backs up or you hear gurgling sounds, it is time to call a plumber. Idaho Falls plumbing can inspect the line and clear any blockages before the damage spreads to other parts of your system. It is also worth having your drains professionally cleaned every so often. A good plumber will tell you what is building up and how to prevent it. You can think of it like dental cleaning, but for your pipes. What you rinse down the sink can either help your plumbing last or slowly destroy it. With a few simple changes, you will keep things flowing and avoid those expensive repair calls. Just scrape your plate into the trash, and do not trust your sink to eat everything, because it is not built for that.
