The holidays are here and if you live in the Atlanta, GA area, chances are you’ll be hosting friends or family sometime between now and the new year. That means plenty of food preparation, which will keep your kitchen hopping. But in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the big day, many people will throw inappropriate foodstuffs down the drain, where it can easily clog up your pipes, damage your garbage disposal, or both. In particular, keep an eye out for the following items, and make sure they never go down your drain.
- Fats, oils, and grease, or FOG as they are known in the business. These are tricky because they are usually poured down the drain in hot liquid form, only to harden in the cool of your pipes. Pour them into a used, empty can instead, then throw them in the garbage when they cool.
- Coffee grounds can gum up the works in your garbage disposal, and expand when they get wet, which can create a clog. Dispose of them in the trash instead of down the drain.
- Fibrous vegetables, including potato peelings, carrot peelings, and celery. They can clog the garbage disposal and pipes alike. If you peel vegetables over the sink, cover the drain and remove the peelings before running the water again.
- Rice and pasta, which can expand when they get wet and create a surprising number of clogs in your drain. Use a strainer or similar device to capture them as you rinse your dishware, then deposit them in the trash.
- Bones and fruit seeds, including peach pits, cherry pits, chicken bones, and the like. Most people are aware of the damage these materials can cause, but they’re certainly worth repeating.
On behalf of all of us at Quick Action Plumbers, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!