Try these tips if your garbage disposal seems to not be functioning properly
Most garbage disposals last about 15 years. Keeping that in mind, if your disposal is much newer than that and you’re having some issues, don’t jump to go and replace it. Try these DIY fixes first. If you’re still having issues, help is just a click or phone call away.
Check Your Power
When a long-lasting appliance such as a garbage disposal isn’t work, the first thing to check is a simple one: the power source. Is it plugged in? It seems like that’s too simple a solution, but it can become unplugged or disconnected under the sink very easily. If you store kitchen items or cleaning supplies under the sink, your disposal may simply just be unplugged.
Problem With The Grinding Plates
If the disposal is making something that sounds like a humming sound, your answer could be the grinding plates. That sound often means the plates are jammed. Make sure the switch is turned off and the appliance is unplugged. A number of items could be jamming the grinding plates, and usually non-food items like silverware are the problem. You can usually remove the blockage by hand, but if not, you can use a small tool to move the plates around enough to clear the blockage.
Poor Disposal Grinding
If your disposal grinds poorly, make sure that you are running enough water while it’s operating. Also, make sure you are not grinding materials that you shouldn’t be grinding. If you can hear the garbage disposal running but it is not grinding, the blades may be broken.
Another Simple Fix
Try hitting the reset button. The disposal may have become overloaded or overheated. You can usually find the reset button on the side or bottom of the disposal under the sink. Press the button – just once – firmly and then release.
A Leaky Disposal
If your garbage disposal appears to be leaking, the first step is to locate the source of the leak. Next, tighten the loose connection. You may need to replace the drain gasket or the unit’s mounting screws.
Appliances From The Same Circuit
Running multiple electrical appliances through the same circuit could cause a shortage. Especially in newer homes, where an electrician may need to run a single circuit for the dishwasher and garbage disposal to share. When you add on a couple more kitchen appliances at the same time, you’ll have a power issue. There are two ways to avoid this problem: you can plug in your smaller appliances somewhere else or only run the disposal when no other appliance is running.
Clogged Drain
If you have standing water in the sink, it means the drain is clogged either in the disposal or somewhere in the drain line. This is a plumbing issue, not a garbage disposal problem. If you don’t know how to or are unable to dismantle a drain pipe, call your local plumbing professionals for help.
Call In The Professionals
If you still need repair work done or may even need a garbage disposal installed, Johnson Heating | Cooling | Plumbing can help you out. Your trusted hometown pros have been serving Central Indiana since 1968. Call us today at 317-820-2722 or contact us for any garbage disposal servicing you need!
