Things You Should Not Put In A Garburator

For many homeowners, garbage disposals (garburators) can be a bit of a mystery. A common misconception is that anything can safely go down the sink, but this is far from the truth.Putting the wrong items into your garbage disposal can damage the garburator, clog your drains, or even cause costly plumbing repairs. That’s why it’s important to know what should and shouldn’t go down your garburator before you hire a certified residential plumber for garburator installation or any other plumbing services like water heater installation.

Things That Can & Can’t Go Down A Garburator

A garburator is installed under the sink and uses spinning blades to break down food waste into small particles, which are then flushed safely through your plumbing system. While garburators make kitchen clean-up easier and environmentally friendly, not all food waste is suitable for disposal.

Food Items You Should NOT Put in a Garbage Disposal

1. Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds may seem harmless, but when washed down the drain, they form a thick paste that can stick to the blades and pipes, slowing drainage and causing clogs. Dispose of them in your compost bin or garden instead.
2. Eggshells Contrary to the myth that eggshells sharpen blades, the thin membrane inside eggshells can wrap around the blades and create blockages in your plumbing system. Avoid putting them in your garburator.
3. Dry Expandable Foods Foods that expand in water—like oats, rice, and pasta—can swell inside your plumbing and cause severe clogs. Never wash dry, expandable foods down your garbage disposal.

Food Items You CAN Put in a Garbage Disposal

1. Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help clean your garburator naturally. Their acidic juice breaks down gunk and neutralizes unpleasant odors, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh. Simply cut the fruits and run them down the disposal with cold water.
2. Ice Cubes Ice cubes can clean and sharpen the blades of some garburators. Toss a few cubes down the disposal every few weeks to remove debris buildup. Note: If your garburator has impellers instead of blades, do not use ice cubes, as this can damage the disposal.

Final Tips

Proper use of your garburator is essential to prevent plumbing issues and costly repairs. Alongside regular maintenance, it’s also important to ensure that other appliances, such as your water heater, are installed and functioning correctly to avoid plumbing complications in your home.

About Jack’d Up Plumbing

Jack’d Up Plumbing is Calgary’s trusted plumbing service provider, offering professional solutions for both residential and commercial customers. We specialize in a wide range of plumbing services, including:

• Garburator installation and maintenance
• Drain cleaning and clog removal
• Water heater installation and repair
• Bathroom and kitchen plumbing repairs
• Gas and water leak detection and repair

With years of experience in Calgary and surrounding areas, our licensed team ensures your plumbing systems operate safely and efficiently. Whether you need a new garburator, water heater installation, or routine plumbing maintenance, Jack’d Up Plumbing has you covered. Contact us today for expert services.