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Does the Garbage Disposal Affect Your Sewer Lines and Septic System?

Your garbage disposal is an important part of your kitchen’s plumbing system that’s responsible for tackling your leftover food waste. But what about its role in the rest of your home’s plumbing? In this blog, we’ll discuss how what you put down your garbage disposal impacts your sewer lines or septic system.

What To Avoid Putting Down Your Garbage Disposal

While your garbage disposal can handle a variety of food waste, there are some things you should avoid putting down it. So, it’s important to know which items can wreak havoc on both your garbage disposal as well as your kitchen drain and other plumbing pipes. Here are some of the biggest no-nos:

• Grease and oils: Once cooled, grease and oils can solidify in pipes and can cause blockages.
• Coffee grounds: Though small, coffee grounds will accumulate over time, leading to clogs.
• Eggshells: Eggshells will stick to build up in your pipes and can damage disposal mechanics.
• Fibrous vegetables: Fibrous vegetables, like celery and onion skins, can entangle disposal blades.
• Pasta and rice: Grains like pasta and rice can expand with water, causing pipe blockages.

What You Can Safely Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Now that we’ve covered what you should avoid putting in your garbage disposal, it’s good to know which items are disposal-friendly. Here are items that have the green light to go down your garbage disposal:

• Ice cubes: Ice is typically used as an eco-friendly way of cleaning your garbage disposal.
• Soft foods: These include fruits, non-starchy and non-fibrous vegetables, and bread.
• Small bones: Fish bones and smaller, thinner chicken, beef, and pork bones are easy to break up and safe for your garbage disposal to handle.
• Small pieces of cooked meat: Just as with small bones, make sure any meat you put down your disposal is small enough to break up effectively to avoid blockages.

How To Know if Your Sewer Line or Septic System Is Clogged

Spotting a clogged sewer line or septic system early can save you from costly repairs, sanitary concerns, and other headaches down the line. There are a few telltale signs to look out for that indicate severe clogging in your sewer line or septic system:

• Slow-moving drains
• Gurgling sounds
• Foul odors
• Water backups
• Lush patches or lines of grass

Schedule Sewer Repairs With Penguin Today

When it comes to keeping your drains running smoothly, Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical has you covered. Our highly trained plumbing technicians are experienced in providing top-quality installation, repair, and maintenance services for drains, garbage disposals, and sewer lines. We also offer 24/7 plumbing services, so you’re never without help when you need it most.

Dealing with a malfunctioning garbage disposal? Schedule garbage disposal, drain, or sewer services in Phoenix, AZ, by calling (480) 747-6800 now!