Garbage disposal systems have become indispensable household appliances. They make disposal of food waste extremely convenient. What’s more is that they can impact the environment positively because they significantly help reduce landfill waste.
However, like any household appliance, garbage disposal units can develop issues over time. Here are some of the common ones you should know about.
Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On
If your garbage disposal fails to turn on, and you can’t hear the motor’s humming sound, the problem is electrical in nature. There’s something preventing a steady flow of current to the appliance.
To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:
- Ensure there isn’t any hum or buzz when you turn the switch on.
- Check whether the plug is attached securely to the outlet.
- See if the reset button at the bottom of the disposal has tripped. If it has, push the button.
- If none of these steps fix the issue, you either have a faulty switch, or a damaged disposal unit.
It Hums But Won’t Grind
If you hear a hum or buzzing sound when you turn the disposal on, the inner flywheel is probably stuck. This usually happens because of food lodged between the shredding ring and the impellers.
Fixing a jammed garbage disposal usually requires some expertise because there are a lot of complicated steps involved in the process.
There’s a Leak
Garbage disposals can leak from several areas. Some of the more common ones include the connecting hose, the sink flange, and the discharge hose.
If the dishwasher connection hose is leaking, the cause may be a loose hose clamp. If it continues to leak, you should have the hose replaced.
If it’s the sink flange that’s leaking, this is probably due to the consistent vibration of the disposal system. Over time, the vibration can cause the mounting apparatus to loosen. Addressing this problem can be complicated, so it’s best you have a professional plumber handle it.
If the discharge hose is leaking, you should check whether the bolts that hold up the pipe are tight enough or not. If the problem persists, you should consider replacing the gasket seal that sits between the disposal and the pipe.
It Drains Slowly
While a slow draining garbage disposal could be caused by several issues, it’s usually because of the kind of clogging that slows down any normal sink drain.
In order to prevent your disposal from clogging, avoid dumping down the following items:
- Leftover pasta
- Rice
- Eggshells
- Potato peels
- Bread
- Fruit pits
- Bones
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables
- Coffee grinds
- Corn husks
If any of these problems sound familiar, you should contact an expert plumbing service to repair your garbage disposal.
We are one of the leading plumbing companies based in Fort Worth, TX. We provide professional residential and commercial emergency kitchen and bathroom repair services.
Call us at 817-244-0614.
