Tips and Tricks from Our Fairfield Plumbers

Take Care of Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal in your kitchen sink doesn't mean that you can put whatever you want down the drain. You must still take proper care to maintain your garbage disposal (and your pipes). Follow these steps to keep your garbage disposal healthy:

1. No starchy things down the drain. Corn husks, potato skins, and other starch-filled food scraps will easily build up and form a clog in your kitchen drain. Avoid subjecting your garbage disposal to them.
   
2. No coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are another food item that, though small, will easily build up and cause a blockage. Put them in a separate food waste bin if possible.
   
3. No grease or fats. One of the worst culprits for drain clogs, grease and fatty substances leftover during cooking will solidify as they cool, causing a nasty (very stubborn) drain clog that will take professional help to remove.
   
4. No over the counter drain cleaners. These aren't a good idea, since they can wear out the delicate rubber gaskets of your garbage disposal. Avoid them if you can.
   
5. No metal objects. Make sure that no metal objects such as forks, spoons, or bottle caps make their way into your disposal. They can damage the blade or cause a jam, resulting in a broken garbage disposal.