You may not think about your garbage disposal until something goes wrong. It can really mess with your kitchen routine when it does, though. Whether you’re hearing strange noises or dealing with persistent clogs, let’s walk through the most common signs that your disposal needs some attention.
1. Abnormal Noises
You know that awful grinding or rattling sound coming from your sink? Yeah, that’s not normal. Usually, it means something’s gotten stuck in there that shouldn’t be: maybe a forgotten spoon or some tough food waste.
Here’s what you can do:
- First things first, turn that disposal off completely
- Grab some tongs or pliers and carefully check what’s in there
If you’ve cleared everything out and it’s still making a racket, you might be dealing with damaged blades or motor issues. Trust me, you want to pay attention to these sounds, they’ll only get worse (and be more expensive to fix).\
Alternately, a humming sound may indicate a burned out motor or electrical problems.
2. Frequent Resets
See that little reset button on your disposal? It’s actually a safety feature for your motor. While hitting it once in a blue moon is fine, if you’re pressing the reset button as often as you check your phone, something’s wrong.
What could be going on:
- Your motor might be getting tired (hey, it happens to all of us)
- You could have some wonky wiring
Getting a pro to look at these issues early can save your disposal from an early retirement.
3. Frequent Clogs
Your disposal should handle normal food waste like a champ. If you’re constantly dealing with backups despite being careful about what goes down there, something’s not clicking.
Sometimes, it’s just a case of a smaller unit trying to handle a big family’s worth of waste. Other times, wear and tear is the culprit. Either way, upgrading to a beefier model or getting some repairs is what you need.
4. No Power
When your disposal doesn’t turn on (or keeps quitting on you), you may be looking at an electrical problem.
Before you panic, check the basics. Is the circuit breaker tripped? Try plugging something else into that outlet. Still nothing? Your motor might have called it quits. Time to get a plumber’s opinion on whether it’s worth fixing or replacing.
5. Persistent Odors
Sure, food can cause some temporary funky smells, but they should go away with a good cleaning. If that nasty odor just won’t quit, you’ve probably got food trapped in places you can’t reach.
Word to the wise: skip the harsh chemical cleaners. They’re rough on your disposal’s blades. A plumber can take it apart safely and give it the deep clean it needs.
6. Planned Renovation
Planning a kitchen renovation? Perfect time to think about upgrading that disposal! Today’s models are like the smartphones of the garbage disposal world; they’re quieter, more efficient, and packed with cool features.
If your current disposal is pushing 10 years old, treating yourself to an upgrade during renovations could save you from future headaches.
7. Poor Performance
Remember how your disposal used to power through food waste like a champ? If it’s starting to seem more like a slowpoke, those blades might be getting dull.
Watch out for:
- Food takes forever to break down
- The unit is working harder than usual
Sometimes, sharpening the blades does the trick, but if everything’s worn out, you might be better off starting fresh with a new unit.
8. Disposal Leaks
Water leaks are no joke. They can really do a number on your cabinets and floors. If you’re spotting puddles under the sink or water dripping from your disposal, it’s time to act. Is it leaking from the bottom? Leaking from the top?
Usually, the culprit is either connection points or worn-out seals, such as the flange to the sink. Get a plumber to pinpoint exactly where that water’s coming from before jumping to conclusions about needing a new disposal.
The key to keeping your disposal running properly (and your wallet fuller) is catching problems early. When your garbage disposal isn’t working, whether it’s making weird noises, constantly clogging, or springing a leak, taking care of issues right away is your best bet.
Need some expert help? Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Lakeland, FL, a call. We’ll come right on time to make sure your kitchen stays up and running smoothly. Reach out today to get your disposal repaired!