Rely on Polar in Collinsville, IL, if you’re experiencing garbage disposal or kitchen plumbing issues—our expert team is ready to help with fast, reliable service!
Your kitchen’s plumbing is a complex system that handles a heavy daily load, especially around the sink. One of the most misunderstood appliances in the kitchen is the garbage disposal. While convenient, it’s not a catch-all for food scraps. Misusing your disposal can lead to clogs, foul odors, damaged pipes, or even broken systems, resulting in costly repairs.
At Polar, we want to help homeowners and business owners in Collinsville, IL, protect their kitchen plumbing with smart usage tips and preventative care. Let’s look at what should never go down your garbage disposal—and how to keep your sink and plumbing system running smoothly.
Why It Matters: The Cost of Misusing Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are not trash cans with blades—they’re designed to grind small food scraps with water into particles that flow through your pipes. However, many people unknowingly send the wrong items down the drain, causing blockages and long-term damage to kitchen plumbing.
Disposals are especially sensitive to fibrous, greasy, or starchy items, which can gum up the system or harden within the pipes. When that happens, you may need drain cleaning or even emergency plumbing services to fix the damage. That’s why knowing what to avoid is your first line of defense in protecting your kitchen and your wallet.
Top 10 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Call Polar today if your disposal is backed up or your sink is draining slowly. We offer drain cleaning and expert kitchen plumbing solutions in Collinsville, IL.
Here are ten of the most common culprits responsible for clogged and damaged disposals:
1. Grease, Fats, and Oils
They may go down as a liquid, but they cool and harden in the pipes. Over time, this creates blockages that are difficult to remove.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds clump together like mud in the pipes. They don’t dissolve and are notorious for causing thick sludge build-up in drains.
3. Eggshells
The thin membrane inside eggshells can wrap around blades and create a sand-like waste that gums up pipes and disposal parts.
4. Fibrous Vegetables
Celery, corn husks, asparagus, and artichokes have stringy fibers that can wrap around the disposal’s impellers, jamming the motor.
5. Pasta and Rice
These foods expand with water and can fill your pipes with a sticky, starchy mess that’s tough to remove without professional plumbing services.
6. Bones
Even small bones can dull or damage the blades, and larger ones won’t break down at all, risking system failure.
7. Fruit Pits and Seeds
Hard and dense pits from peaches, avocados, or cherries are simply too solid for the disposal to handle.
8. Non-Food Items
Paper towels, twist ties, sponges, plastic wrap, and other debris belong in the trash, not your disposal.
9. Shells from Seafood
Shrimp shells, crab shells, and oyster fragments are sharp and dense, making them ideal for blocking drains or damaging disposal blades.
10. Large Quantities of Anything
Even if it’s technically “safe,” dumping a whole plate’s worth of leftovers or food waste at once can overwhelm the system.
How to Use Your Garbage Disposal the Right Way
Protecting your kitchen plumbing isn’t just about avoiding the wrong things; it’s also about proper usage. Here are a few helpful habits you can adopt today:
- Always run cold water when using your disposal. This helps food particles move through the pipes smoothly and prevents grease from congealing.
- Cut large scraps into smaller pieces before disposing of them.
- Let the water run for a few seconds after turning off the disposal to flush remaining particles.
- Clean the disposal regularly using ice cubes and citrus peels, not harsh chemicals.
Need help maintaining your disposal or dealing with lingering smells? Call Polar today for expert tips or to schedule a maintenance visit in Collinsville, IL.
Common Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Help
Don’t wait for a full-on breakdown. Watch for these signs that your disposal—or your plumbing—may be struggling:
- Unusual or loud grinding noises
- Water is backing up into the sink
- A persistent foul odor
- Sluggish drainage or standing water
- Disposal won’t turn on or reset frequently
If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be time to call for garbage disposal repair or plumbing inspection. Polar’s experienced plumbers in Collinsville will assess the situation and provide affordable, long-lasting solutions.
Prevent Costly Repairs with Professional Help
Even with the best habits, plumbing issues can still arise. If you’re unsure about your disposal’s performance or if you’ve accidentally sent the wrong item down the sink, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
At Polar, we offer:
- Drain cleaning
- Garbage disposal repair
- Emergency plumbing services
- Preventative kitchen plumbing maintenance
Our licensed and insured plumbers serve homeowners and businesses throughout Collinsville, IL, and the surrounding area. We’re known for honest advice, reliable service, and high-quality workmanship. Contact our team today.
Call Polar in Collinsville, IL, Today!
Protect your kitchen, save your pipes, and avoid unnecessary plumbing bills by learning what not to put down your garbage disposal. For expert help, call Polar today to schedule a service or ask about our plumbing maintenance plans. We’re here to keep your home running smoothly—one sink at a time!
📞 Call Now: 618.772.7007
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📍 Serving Collinsville, IL and surrounding communities
