Let’s hope your turkey is thawed and table is set, because ready or not, Thanksgiving is here! The hustle and bustle of a packed house and too much food has arrived. Although this is a time for thanksgiving and tradition, there are some traditions you might want to avoid, like a plumbing mishap.
History tells us plumbers that Thanksgiving is inevitably the busiest day of the year for one reason: garbage disposals. Oh how everyone loves their garbage disposal! You simply rake the unwanted bits of leftovers down the drain whir the machine and away it goes! However, garbage disposals tend to bite back when you feed them unwanted goodies. So, to trash or grind? That is the question.
Dos and Don’ts of a Garbage Disposal
It’s pretty convenient to whisk away unwanted food to never be smelled again, but there are somethings that should hit the trash instead of the sink. To avoid a Turkey Day catastrophe, here are some tips to keep your disposal in check this Thanksgiving.
- DO: Food. It’s recommended that only food hit the garbage disposal; however, avoid fibrous foods such as celery or asparagus, which can rope the blade to a complete stop. Also potato peels, rice and pasta can become pasty and mess up the flow.
- DON’T: F.O.G. Even plumbers hate foggy conditions! F.O.G. stands for fats, oils and grease which should never go down the garbage disposal. All of these three items turn to solid as soon as they cool. Sending them down the drain can easily wreak havoc on your system.
- DO: Flush Disposal. As you are clearing the dishes from a tasty meal, make sure you periodically run the disposal even if you are disposing of waste in the garbage. This will keep things fresh and clear.
- DON’T: Bones. No matter how small that wishbone is, do not push it down that drain! Dispose of any hard waste such as bones, eggshells fruit pits, etcetera in the trash can.
Follow these tips for a successful Thanksgiving – plumbing problem free! If you are concerned your plumbing system might need a check up, give us a call before the holiday rush sets in! Click here to schedule an appointment or give us a call at (502) 822-5350.