The kitchen drain is capable of handling a lot, everything from soapy dishwater to spoiled milk and even dinner scraps. Its appetite can be so voracious, in fact, that it can occasionally fool you into thinking it’s impervious to foreign not-ready-for-kitchen-drain objects. Trust us, it’s not.

Here, in fact, are 5 substances that should never be put down your drain or garbage disposal, and for more than one reason:

1. Toxic Substances – Paint, paint thinners, solvent-based cleaners, and even nail polish remover should never be poured down the drain. Instead, check with your town government on how best to dispose of these substances. Many hold “community clean up” days throughout the year where they will accept such substances for proper disposal.

2. Medications – When your medication expires, don’t throw it down the drain or flush it down the toilet. Instead, mix it with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw it in the trash or check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer “take-back” days.

3. Cooking Oil and Grease – Whether it’s butter, vegetable oil, or bacon fat, pouring oil and greasy substances down the drain can clog your pipes and result in costly repairs. To dispose of cooking fats, pour them into an empty glass jar or metal can, let it harden, and dispose of it in the trash.

4. Kitchen Waste – Even if you have a garbage disposal, there are certain things you should avoid putting down the drain. Fibrous fruit or vegetables and starchy foods like pasta and potato skins can gum up the inside of the drain, often too far down to easily break up the logjam. Instead, dump your kitchen scraps into the compost bin.

5. Automotive Products – The biggest no-no of the bunch is used motor oil. According to the EPA, one quart of motor oil can contaminate 2 million gallons of drinking water. Take all automotive products, such as motor oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid to a recycling center or service station for proper disposal.

If we truly are what we eat and drink, then we also are what carelessness or the simple lack of information forces us to eat and drink, however harmful it might be. If you know of someone who you think could benefit from this blog, we urge you to share it with them.

Like a lot of things mechanical, your home heating system can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

As in, when it’s working like a charm, you love it to pieces. When it isn’t, you want to smash it to pieces. Your classic love-hate relationship.

Well, if you and your heating system are currently on the outs, and you find yourself wondering what’s wrong with it, there’s a very good chance that one of the following is the cause:

• Clogged filter. To perform at its best, your heating system needs to be professionally cleaned and inspected once a year. In between professional cleanings, you need to inspect your filter at least every 60 days and clean or replace it as necessary. Once a filter gets clogged with dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, it forces your heating system to work harder to get you all the warm air you desire.

• Cracked or leaking ductwork. If you have a forced air heating system, your ductwork should be inspected for cracks and leaks right along with the rest of the system. If any are found, they can be sealed immediately to prevent heat from escaping into your attic or other unheated spaces, thus making your system work harder while driving up your heating utility costs.

• A problem with your system’s fan. Once the fan stops working properly, you’re going to have air circulation problems on your hands, such as too much heat in one room, and hardly any in another.

• Faulty ignition system. Today, most gas furnaces are fired by an electronic ignition system. These have an average lifespan of 3-5 years, and need to be cleaned and checked along with the rest of your heating system once a year. Otherwise parts can fail, or dust and dirt can accumulate causing intermittent or no heat at all.

What’s a careful, conscientious home owner to do? Well, for one thing, if it’s been a year or more since your furnace was last professionally serviced, now is the perfect time to contact Boden for service, even if you’re not experiencing any home heating problems. If you are, we’re here to troubleshoot it, accurately diagnose it, and perform the necessary repair work, and always with a guaranteed upfront price quote. Contact us today or anytime at all for all your home heating, cooling, and plumbing needs.