The post 3 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Drains to Prevent Clogs appeared first on Ashford Green Blog.
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Most clogs begin innocently enough. For example, while washing your dishes, you might allow a plateful of uneaten pasta to go down the drain. Or perhaps you spill a box of instant potatoes on the floor. So you scoop up the mess and deposit it in the sink, then use a quick spritz of water to wash it all away. A few hours later, you suddenly notice that the water is not draining well and is instead gurgling back into the sink ominously. If such a scenario has happened to you, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Many people don't realize that the following three items can create major issues when washed down your pipes.
Instant Mashed Potatoes
They may look innocuous enough, but those tiny dehydrated potato flakes were meant to do one thing when mixed with water — and that is to blossom into a thick, gooey pile. That's fine if they're on a plate, but send those flakes down a drain with just enough water to hydrate them, and they will form a thick cement-like clog.
Grease and Oil
Warm grease easily washes off of your dishes and pans and flows down your drain. But if you don't use enough water to push the grease through your pipes, it will eventually settle and harden. Over time, the grease will accumulate and also trap other waste, which will eventually create an impenetrable ball of goo.
Rice and Pasta
It may be hard to imagine that tiny grains of rice and skinny pasta can wreak absolute havoc on your pipes, but they absolutely can. These starchy products continue to expand when wet and, thus, can form a huge roadblock in your pipes.
To prevent clogs, it's always best to throw your food waste into your trash rather than down your drain. Of course, that means you'll have more trash to deal with than before. Our apartment community understands that this can be a pain, so we offer a valet trash removal service to make your life a little easier. In addition, our apartments in Charlotte also offers other highly desirable amenities, including a pool and a fitness center.
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Toaster ovens offer convenience that regular ovens lack. They can bake pizzas and all sorts of snacks you might want late at night or for guests at your Charlotte apartments. But not all toaster ovens are the same. Often, it’s better to be a little discriminating in choosing a toaster oven to ensure you get all the features you’ll need. Here are a few tips for what you should look for in a toaster oven.
Variety of Settings
Depending on the brand and model, toaster ovens will have different settings. These may include a pizza setting, reheat, broil, toast, bake, warm and so on. The setting determines which of the heating coils heat up and how long they operate. The toaster oven may also have a convection setting. This setting makes air flow inside the toaster oven for faster heating. You won’t always use it, but when you’re baking uncovered dishes in the toaster oven, you’ll be glad to have it.
Design
You might want to be choosy in what kind of design and finish you want to have for your toaster oven, especially since it’s for your apartments in Charlotte. Less durable exteriors tend to sustain more damage over time from use, and while they may cost less, their wear and tear may mean buying a new toaster oven again in just a few years. If you plan to have your toaster oven out on the counter on display you might want to choose a more high-end finish for your toaster oven, since you’ll be looking at it every day.
Size
You’ll likely want to look at the size of the toaster oven and determine if it will fit your needs. It’s best for a toaster oven to be big enough to roast a chicken; that way, you’ll be able to save on energy costs, compared to heating a larger, standard-sized oven. If you’re a pizza fan, be sure the interior of the toaster oven will accommodate a standard-sized pizza. If you enjoy roasting a chicken every now and then, look for a toaster oven that can accommodate that size.
Toaster ovens are a great way to quickly cook up frozen goods, reheat dishes and bake pies and muffins. For more information about graceful living in Chicago apartments, please contact us.
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