Garbage Disposal Tips to Avoid a Holiday Plumbing Emergency

Garbage Disposal Tips – The holidays are here again and it is certainly a wonderful time of year to spend with friends and family.  As you prepare your meals and treats and enjoy all the festivities connected with the season keep in mind that you are taxing your home’s plumbing system more than ever.  The last thing you want in your home is a holiday plumbing emergency and garbage disposal tips.

“The holidays are a very busy time of year for plumbers” according to Scott Ferrell, owner of Black Mountain Plumbing, Inc in Scripps Ranch. “It all begins with too much food being put down the garbage disposal and food that doesn’t belong in a disposal at all,” says Ferrell.  “Garbage disposals aren’t meant to deal with large quantities of food all at once.”  “About 90% of garbage disposal problems we see are preventable,” he added.

Here are some things you should not put down in your garbage disposal tips :

• Pasta or rice  (these can expand in your pipes and create blockage)
• potato peels
• eggshells
• bones
• grease
• gravy
• coffee grounds
• fruit pits
• celery stalks
• onion skins
• artichokes
• cigarette butts

Some other handy garbage disposal tips:

• If you have larger items, cut them into smaller pieces first and put them in one at a time.
• Keep your disposal clean by running a little dish of water and soap.
• You can also make your disposal smell nice and fresh by running lemon, orange, or other citrus peelings.
• Have a good flow of cold water running before, during, and after you run your disposal.

Other Common Holiday Plumbing Emergency Issues

Clogged toilets are also a big problem during the holidays.  Make sure that you have a waste basket in every bathroom.  That way guests won’t be tempted to flush facial tissues, baby wipes, cotton swabs or other items that don’t belong in your bathroom plumbing.

Your hot water heater will also be in high demand.  Before your guests arrive, turn up your water heater to increase its capacity—but make sure you don’t exceed 120°.  A scalded guest is not a happy guest.  Remember to turn it back down after everyone leaves so you don’t waste energy.

“It is a good idea to have your plumbing system inspected if it has not been looked at in some while,” Ferrell says. “In fact, that should be your first step.”  Black Mountain Plumbing, Inc offers very affordably, whole house, plumbing inspections, and 24-hour emergency service.  Call them today at 858-536-4161.

Serving San Diego and San Diego County for over 25 years with quality work and great service. We also service these cities – El Cajon, La Mesa, Lakeside, Poway, Ramona, Santee, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, University City, Tierrasanta, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Leucadia, Sorrento Valley, Miramar, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Vista, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Fairbanks Ranch, 4S Ranch, and Sabre Springs.

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