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Your garbage disposal can handle a lot, but it was never designed to handle everything. The list of things that get fed into disposals on a daily basis is surprising, and a good chunk of those items are responsible for the jammed motors, dull blades, and backed-up drains we get calls about. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we've cleared enough disposal-related clogs to know what causes them, and this post breaks down the seven worst offenders so you can keep yours running.
Pouring bacon grease or leftover cooking oil down the disposal seems convenient in the moment. The problem is that grease doesn't stay liquid. It cools, solidifies, and coats the inside of your pipes, which narrows the drain passage with every pour.
The buildup doesn't stop there. Solidified grease catches other debris, and what starts as a thin film becomes a blockage. Experienced plumbers regularly find grease accumulation stretching several feet down the drain line, not just near the disposal. Scrape grease into a container, let it harden, and throw it in the trash. For residual oil in pans, wipe them with a paper towel before rinsing. It's a small habit that can prevent a big repair bill.
Pouring bacon grease or leftover cooking oil down the disposal seems convenient in the moment. The problem is that grease doesn't stay liquid. It cools, solidifies, and coats the inside of your pipes, which narrows the drain passage with every pour.
Because they compact so easily, even moderate amounts build up fast. Compost your grounds or toss them in the trash. They're actually useful in a garden, so the disposal isn't the best destination for them anyway.
Celery, asparagus, artichokes, kale stems, and corn husks all have long, stringy fibers that don't cut cleanly. When these go into the disposal, the fibers wrap around the blades and motor shaft instead of breaking apart.
A disposal tangled with vegetable fibers will slow down, vibrate, or stop mid-cycle. In more serious cases, the motor burns out from the resistance. A garbage disposal replacement becomes necessary when the motor is compromised, and that's a preventable expense. Toss your fibrous vegetables in the trash or compost bin. Peeling them into a bag rather than the sink makes this a non-issue.
The idea that eggshells sharpen disposal blades has circulated for years. It isn't true. Disposals use impellers to grind waste against a grind ring. There are no blades to sharpen, and eggshells don't improve their function.
What eggshells do produce is a fine, sandy membrane residue that accumulates in the drain line. That grit combines with grease and other debris and forms stubborn blockages. The shells themselves grind into small particles that contribute to the buildup rather than clearing it.
Skip the eggshells. Compost them or throw them away. The sharpen-the-blades advice isn't grounded in how disposals really work.
Cooked pasta and rice absorb water. They do it in your pot, and they continue doing it in your drain. Rinsing a small amount of leftover rice down the disposal feels harmless, but those particles swell inside the pipe and trap other debris.
Starchy foods also leave a sticky residue that clings to pipe walls and the disposal interior. The coating attracts other particles and accelerates clog formation. A local plumber called out for a slow kitchen drain will frequently find a combination of starch residue and grease at the source. Scrape plates into the trash before you rinse them. A quick wipe removes most of the residue before it reaches the drain.
Chicken bones, steak bones, peach pits, avocado pits, and cherry pits are simply too hard for a residential disposal to process. The impellers aren't built to handle that density. Putting hard materials in the disposal produces one of two outcomes. The unit jams and trips the reset switch, or the impellers chip, and the motor takes on damage it can't recover from.
Repeated attempts to force hard waste through the unit shortens its lifespan considerably. When the damage is severe enough, garbage disposal replacement is the only fix. Bones and pits go in the trash. There's no workaround that makes them safe to grind, regardless of the disposal's horsepower rating.
Bleach, drain cleaners, and caustic chemical products are marketed as drain solutions, but they cause damage to disposals. The rubber seals, gaskets, and interior components degrade when exposed to harsh chemicals. Corrosion sets in, and the unit develops leaks or mechanical failure.
Liquid drain cleaners are especially problematic. They're formulated to dissolve organic matter, and the disposal's components count as organic matter in that chemical process. Plumbers in Arcola, TX see disposal failures linked to chemical cleaners a lot, and the damage isn't always immediately obvious.
Clean your disposal with ice cubes and kosher salt to scour the interior, or use a small amount of dish soap with cold running water. Baking soda and white vinegar work for odor control. None of these options will damage seals or corrode metal components.
If your disposal is already jamming, draining slowly, or making unusual sounds, don't ignore it. A qualified plumber can diagnose the problem before it reaches the point of full garbage disposal replacement. Mr. Rooter Plumbing offers experienced, reliable service for disposal repairs, clogs, and full replacements when the unit is beyond repair. Our licensed plumbers are background-checked and upfront about pricing before work begins. Call us to schedule a service, and we'll get your kitchen back in working order.
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PVC pipes are widely used for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems. They are lightweight, affordable, and easy to install. PVC is resistant to corrosion and chemical damage, making it a practical option for many plumbing applications, including home repiping. These pipes last 25 to 40 years or more when properly installed by a qualified plumber. However, they are not suitable for hot water lines, as high temperatures can weaken the material over time.
CPVC is similar to PVC but is designed to handle hot water. It is commonly used for both hot and cold water supply lines in residential plumbing systems. CPVC is resistant to corrosion and scale buildup, making it a low-maintenance option for home repiping. The lifespan of CPVC pipes is typically 40 to 50 years. While they are more heat-resistant than PVC, they can become brittle over time, especially if exposed to direct sunlight or extreme conditions. Deteriorating CPVC pipes are more susceptible to pinhole leaks. Look for a qualified plumber to help you replace your CPVC pipes once they approach the 40-year mark.
PEX piping has gained popularity in recent years for home repiping due to its flexibility and ease of installation. It can bend around corners, reducing the need for fittings and minimizing the risk of leaks. PEX is also resistant to scale and chlorine, making it suitable for various water conditions.
PEX pipes usually last around 40 to 50 years. As long as you hire a dependable plumbing repair service to handle the installation, the pipes can serve you for several decades. They are a cost-effective alternative to copper, but they may not perform well when exposed to prolonged UV light, so they are best used indoors. They are also more vulnerable to rodent damage, which can lead to leaks and water damage.
Shaun definitely over delivered in his service. He came in and replaced the worn faucet on ourr kitchen sink. As he did his work, he gave us many tips on ways to preserve the life of our plumbing hardware. And with his warm personality, we discovered that he's a dude that's serious about his Philly cheese steaks. So now we trust him with our plumbing needs AND his referrals to places that serve the best Philly cheesesteaks in the Houston area.
Steven and Fred were both very thorough and efficient. I was impressed with their overall knowledge and ability to diagnose the issue quickly and solve the problem. I was thankful for their quick attention because we are going out of town soon and this gives us piece of mind. They also recommended ways to help prevent this from happening in the future which I appreciated. Recommend them again for sure.
I returned home from an extended assignment out of state to find two of my three toilets leaking. The water company actually sent me a notification stating that I was consuming over 100 gallons/hour! Within 24 hours of my return, my home warranty company assigned Mr. Rooter to my case, & Josh was a consummate professional in way (in spite of having to work on toilers that had been sitting idle, without A/C, for months. He explained exactly what the issues were after listening carefully to my description of the problem, & immediately set about making the repairs. He was even kind enough to help me replace the toilet seats that had been ruined by the prolonged exposure to running water. An all-around great experience (under the circumstances). Kudos to Mr. Rooter, & a big thanks to Josh for his competence, promptness, & professionalism.
So excited to share such great service we received from Justin with Mr. Rooter, he was such a polite and attentive to our needs we explained that we had a leak somewhere in the utility room, he jumped right in located the leak explained the type of leak we had and gave us a great price to repair.. Justin's workmanship and expertise got the job done and we are very happy.. Definitely will be calling Mr. Rooter and requesting Justin...thank you
Sean did an excellent job from start to finish. He was very professional, communicated clearly, worked quickly, and provided a lot of helpful advice throughout the process. His quality of work was great and he made sure everything was done right. Definitely appreciate his service and highly recommend him!
Justin was top tier! Not only did he solve our 3 backed up sinks quickly and thoroughly, he provided insight on the cause and preventative tips to ensure it doesn’t happen again. We’ve had multiple plumbers come out through our home warranty and none took the time and effort to get to the root cause like Justin!
Steven and Justin came out to my home today to service two of toilets that were having flushing issue. Both men were very skilled and knowledgeable and they fixed my plumbing issues literally in a matter of minutes. They also advised me that it would be in my best interest to replace both toilets with American Standard Champion and they recommend this brand as being number 1 in the industry and guarantee me a 5 yr warranty. Being that my toilets are rather old and seem to be having flushing issues. Lastly, I would just like to say that I highly recommend this company and these two kind and respectful gentleman to all customers. Thanks Steven and Justin for doing such an amazing job today. I am more than satisfied with your work and your level of service that you provided me today.
Steven and Fred where a breath of fresh air. 1 they arrived on time ahead of schedule so I didn't have to wait all day for my time window. Mr Rooter was the 3rd company that came out to fix my dishwasher. Steven assessed the issue and it was an extremely simple fix. He made my plumbing work better vs redoing what someone did before and doing patch work. Both gentlemen where polite and patient. I will be requesting them only from here on out
Update: Mr. Rooter Plumbing came back out and made things right. I want to specifically compliment Steven and his helper — they did a great job. They were professional, thorough, and took the time to properly inspect the issue, figure out what was wrong, and explain how to resolve it. I really appreciate their follow-up and the care they showed in fixing the situation.
Tyler and his team were true professionals when it came to a tough job. They removed our old water heater from the attic and carried it down two flights of stairs without any issues. The new install was quick and efficient, and they were very respectful of our time and home. Everything was done smoothly and without error. Highly recommend!
Mr. Tyler and Mr. Hane came to do work us on 12/12/25. They called me the day of appointment 15 minutes before they arrive. they were timely, extremely professional and knowledgeable. Explained to me what they will be doing, the estimated time it would take them. Since I used my home warranty, the work was done at no cost to me at the time of service. Tyler and Hane went above and beyond by inspecting and tightening my backyard leaking faucet. Excellent service.
Shaun was absolutely fantastic! Came out on time, was super professional, extremely knowledgeable, and took the time to explain what the issues were with both toilets in need of repair and what was needed to resolved them. He was able to fix one on the spot in a flash and it’s working perfectly now. He left the area clean and tidy. He’ll be back to fix the other requiring addition assistance and extensive work, but he definitely knew the issue straight away. It’s hard to find reliable service these days, but Shaun truly exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing plumbing work. Thank you so much Shaun!!
