Avoiding Drain Plumbing Repairs

The garbage disposal unit was invented almost a hundred years ago and since then it has grown into popular use. This device helps clear the drains with food scraps that we may or may not intentionally put into the sink. And because of it, there are less plumbing repairs to fix especially those in relation to the kitchen sink and the drainage system.

Although the garbage disposal unit is truly one amazing device, it is far from being perfect. Because there are certain food items that it cannot completely break down into smaller pieces that would allow these to pass through the drainage system. Just like any other electrical appliance, it has its own limitations that you should be aware of because otherwise, you would have to contact some Melbourne plumbers to get it fixed.

The following are some of the food items or scraps we must not put into a garbage disposal unit if we want to avoid any further plumbing repairs.

1. Bones

Specifically animal bones. This is because the garbage disposal is not strong enough to grind or chop such a very hard item. Even if the bones are already in very small pieces, the disposal can still have a hard time breaking them down and might result to some pieces of the bones getting stuck in one of the blades or crevices of the unit.

2. Egg shells

Who would have thought that something so light and thin can also cause you some plumbing problems? While some people believe that the egg shells help in sharpening the blades of the disposal unit, this is just a myth. In reality, shells can also cause serious blockage in the drainage system.

3. Rice grains

This goes with both cooked and uncooked rice. Cooked rice further expands when it is submerged or exposed to water and that is exactly what happens when rice goes through the skin. Uncooked rice may not fair better. Aside from it being a very hard item for the garbage disposal unit to break down, it also expands when put in water. Therefore it is still best to simply avoid putting any rice into the sink.

The same thing goes with pasta. Bits of it can get trapped in the unit and cause it to work harder with each use.

4. Grease

One of the top causes of drain blockage is grease and the garbage disposal unit, since it is a part of the drain, can also be affected. Grease solidifies and can cause clogging and eventually, damage to the unit. You will have to deal with clearing clogged drains because of this.

5. Very stringy vegetables

You can probably think of many vegetables that fall under this category but lettuce and celery are just two of the main culprits. While vegetables are good for your health, not all vegetables are good for your drainage. These stringy vegetables can get entangled in the garbage disposal unit or inside the drain pipes, again causing minor to major drain clogging problems.

plumbing repairs can be avoided if we can just get rid of our old habits, just like whenever we throw any food bits into the sink. Even if we have a garbage disposal unit, it cannot work on every type of food and in the long run, after being abused, it will eventually break down.