Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Today's Google Query

"How to unclog a garbage disposal"
Yikes!

*Report as of 10:11am: a few plunger-type suctions with my fist and the clog has been cleared--woo hoo!! No million-dollar plumber needed!
*According to ask.com, here is a list of things NOT to put down the disposal:
1) Rice and pasta- No matter how much water you run or how long you run the appliance, you can never break rice or pasta down small enough. Both items swell when they are in contact with water, so the small pieces will eventually gather in the trap and swell until it is closed.
2) Animal bones- The garbage disposal is just not strong enough to break these down small enough to fit through. Animal bones are the most common thing that jams disposals.
3) Grease- The grease will eventually solidify and clog a portion, or all, of your drain.
4) Egg shells- Despite what you may have heard, egg shells do not sharpen disposal blades. I’m not even sure how someone would think that would work. Mostly they just end up clogging the line.
5) Any kind of stringy or tough-peeled vegetable- This includes asparagus, lettuce, celery and potato peels. Maybe in a small amount the disposal can handle it, but I wouldn’t try it.

According to this wisdom, I broke Rule #4 and 5 (potato peels). Thus, I'm going to try to do better. Incidentally, the last time we had a plumber out, he recommended running ice cubes through the disposal for 30sec. or so every month to keep the blades sharp!?? Very interesting!

Have a clog-free and blessed day!

3 comments:

Elena said...

I have heard the ice thing before. Don't know if it really works.

We use baking soda and vinegar to get rid of clogs in our house it works well, and you probally always have this stuff on hand.

Teacher-Mom said...

Good advice- just put egg shells in the other day to "sharpen the blades." Not so much, huh?!

B-Mama said...

Everything I've read has said that egg shells are a big cause for pipe blockage! So if they get through the disposal, they're not great for your pipes either. I have also put mine in all along--I guess not anymore!

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