For many homeowners, summer means busting out the grill and getting ready for good times and delicious food. Most people don’t know that many of the foods they cook on the grill can clog their drains and cause other plumbing problems. The clogs might not show up right away, but they build up over time and put a lot of stress on your plumbing system. Learn what foods harm your drains to avoid plumbing problems this summer.
Foods to Never Put in Your Garbage Disposal
These foods can clog your drains when you put them in your garbage disposal:
Bones
Stringy and starchy foods such as corn husks, celery, potato salad, macaroni salad
Cooking oils and animal fat or grease
Each of these foods presents certain challenges for your drains. Bones are notoriously hard on your garbage disposal. Even if they manage to slip by the blades, they’ll great an obstruction farther down the line. Similarly, corn husks and other fibrous vegetables can get tangled up within the disposal. Potatoes and macaroni salad are super starchy, which means they’ll expand with water to create a sludgy mess in your pipes.
You could also have your own recipes and unique foods you grill. If that's the case, remember that any greasy or starchy foods can clog your drains if you put them in your sink or garbage disposal. Prevent clogs and protect your home’s plumbing by placing grilled foods in a garbage bag after your meal to keep your drains in great shape all summer.
Get Help Fixing Clogged Drains
We are here to help if you already have plumbing problems you need to address. You might think you can put off some issues if they don't seem that bad, but keep in mind that those small issues can get much worse over time. The safest option is to contact a professional at the first sign of trouble. If you need plumbing services you can trust, contact Mainline Plumbing Inc. right away at (209) 560-6652.