Garbage Disposal Dont’s

As the holidays get closer many of us find ourselves spending more and more time in the kitchen. Whether you are preparing the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner or baking cookies for Christmas, your garbage disposal can prove to be a very handy companion. However, you want to make sure that you are keeping your handy companion healthy through all the holiday hustle and bustle. That’s where we come in!

Below we have compiled a list of objects that will surely decrease your disposal’s life span. Remember, it’s a garbage disposal, not an in-sink trash bin.

• Rice, Pasta, Potatoes, and Beans- The main issue with these substances is swelling. Even the smallest particles of these items will swell when in contact with water. This will eventually gather, swell, and clog your trap.

• Animal Bones- Your disposal is not as strong as you may think. It can not break the bones down small enough to fit through which will ultimately cause a jam.

• Grease- This one is simple, the grease will solidify and end up clogging a portion, if not all, of your drain.

• Egg Shells- A common misconception about egg shells is that they help to sharpen your disposal’s blades. However, they ultimately do more harm than good. They do not sharpen your disposal’s blades but they will gladly clog the line.

• Fibrous Foods- This means celery, asparagus, lettuce, corn husks, carrots, onion skins, potato peels, etc. The strings of these items have been known to wrap around the blades and cause an issue with motor function. Your disposal can probably handle these substances in small doses but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

• Non-Food Items- As I stated before, this is a garbage disposal, not a trash bin. This means that things like cigarette butts, twist ties, rubber bands, plant clippings, etc. should not be what you are sending down the drain. As is the common theme of many of the substances previously listed, non-food items are another sure way to clog you drain.

We hope that this list will help to ensure a wonderful holiday season for you and your family. Be sure to follow this advice so you can save money for Christmas gifts rather than garbage disposal repairs!

If you have any further questions do not hesitate to give us a call at 303-465-1900.

The post Garbage Disposal Dont’s appeared first on McAdams Plumbing, Inc.

Plumbing Myths

Stinky garbage disposal? Throw some lemon rinds down it! Don’t know what to do with those eggshells? Go ahead and send those down the disposal too!

Problem solved right? Wrong.

There are many myths in the do-it-yourself plumbing world, such as those listed above. Unfortunately, believing some of these myths can cause a whole lot more trouble than triumph.

Below is a great blog posted by our friends at Horizon Services, Inc. They were able to wonderfully highlight 5 of the most common plumbing myths that will have you flushing your money down the toilet.

To read the original article in its entirety please click here.

Enjoy!

—————————————————————————————————————-

Are you a homeowner who needs to learn about maintaining your plumbing system? If so, it’s important that you learn how to do so effectively without trying practices that may damage your system or your pipes. Here are five myths about home plumbing you’ll want to avoid.

Myth 1: Lemons Clean Your Garbage Disposal

While a running a lemon rind through the disposal may make your drain smell better, it won’t actually get it clean. To disinfect your garbage disposal, you will need to use a cleaning solution that includes a mild soap and warm water. Before you attempt to use it, however, make sure you disconnect the disposal from its power source. Spray the cleaning solution into the disposal, give it a few minutes to work, and then use a cleaning brush to scrub the disposal itself.

Myth 2: Running Water While Using The Garbage Disposal Helps The Waste Travel Smoothly

Many homeowners believe that they can put just about anything down their garbage disposals as long as they run water. The truth, however, is that some things do not belong in a garbage disposal no matter how much water you run. Hard or thick food items, such as banana peel and eggshells, can damage your disposal, which may require an expensive repair or drain cleaning. If you’re considering putting thick foods down your disposal, you’ll need to break them up thoroughly and mix them with water beforehand.

Myth 3: As Long As Things Keep Going Down My Drain, It Isn’t Getting Clogged

Even when your garbage disposal is operating, it may still be at risk of a serious clog. One of the early warning signs of an impending problem is a slow moving disposal, or waste fragments that remain on the discharge pipe. If you notice either of these signs when you use your disposal, it’s developing a clog, even though it may still be working. Stop using it right away until you have the clog removed.

Myth 4: You Can Clean Plumbing Fixtures With Hand Soap

Depending on the type of plumbing fixtures you have, hand soap may actually be damaging to the surface. Brass plumbing fixtures, for example, should be cleaned with gentle solutions such as cut lemons and baking soda. Toilet bowls, however, need to be cleaned with an effective disinfectant to kill germs and prevent infection.

Myth 5: Plumbing Fixtures Require Little To No Maintenance

This is one of the most dangerous home plumbing myths of all, because homeowners who believe it may run into serious problems later on. Pipes may be obstructed by clogs, wayward tree roots, or shifting home foundations. Homeowners should also inspect their sewer cleanouts for obstructions. All of these issues may lead to expensive plumbing repair, such as a sewer line replacement or a pipe replacement. The fixtures inside the home such as sinks, faucets, and tubs also need regular maintenance to avoid serious drain clogs.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Feel free to give us a call at 303-465-1900 if you have any questions or concerns about plumbing myths you may have heard of that were not mentioned in this post. We would be more than happy to help!

*”Top 5 Home Plumbing Myths That Cost You Money.” Horizon Services Inc RSS. Horizon Services, 30 July 2013. Web. 26 June 2015.

The post Plumbing Myths appeared first on McAdams Plumbing, Inc.

Grease: Your Drain’s Worst Enemy

Thanksgiving is around the corner, which offers us this week’s blog topic: grease in your drains. It’s important that you remember after that big meal full of sleep inducing turkey, not to pour grease and food scraps down your drain. Most people are under the impression that you can put some food in your garbage disposal, I mean, that’s why it’s there right? Wrong! Even though your garbage disposal may be able to handle small, non-fibrous food scraps, your drains are not designed to. Food waste, grease, and debris builds up in your drain pipes and causes blockages.

The best way to avoid this problem is to ALWAYS brush all of your food scraps into the garbage before you wash your dishes. This will ensure you keep your drains clear and clog free and your garbage disposal free of performance reducing grease. In order to properly dispose of grease and oils, especially if using a turkey fryer, follow these steps:

• Once cooled, pour cooking oil and grease into a non-recyclable container; add kitty litter or coffee grounds, seal the container, and place in the trash.
• Scrape food scraps from dishes into trash. Minimize the use of your garbage disposal because even cooked foods contain oil and grease that can clog sewer lines.
• Remove oil and grease from dishes, pots, and pans with a paper towel or napkin.
• Pre-wash dishes, pans, and pots with cold water before putting them in the dish washer. Hot water does not remove oil or grease but rather liquifies them. Once they cool they return to solids and can clog the sewer lines.

For additional information about how to care for your drains in a safe, natural way, please take a look at this article from our friends at Networx.com:

http://www.networx.com/article/care-for-your-drain-the-natural-way

Hope you enjoyed the blog. If you have any questions or comment please leave them in the comment section below or call us at 303-898-0851. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Google+.

The Proof is in the Plumbing!

The post Grease: Your Drain’s Worst Enemy appeared first on McAdams Plumbing, Inc.