How Hard Is It to Fix a Garbage Disposal?
When it comes to maintaining kitchen cleanliness, garbage disposal becomes incredibly handy. Disposals prevent the rotting of food debris in landfills by grinding food particles into tiny pieces. A disposal that does not function properly affects kitchen upkeep and cleaning.
Repairing a faulty garbage disposal may be as simple as pushing the reset button and restarting it again. But when this does not work, more problems that need garbage disposal repair may have occurred, ranging from disposal jams to faulty seals, electrical system issues, and poor pipe connections.
Safety Reminder
Do not put your hand inside the garbage disposal. You can easily harm yourself on the sharp disposal blades. Instead, turn off or unplug the disposal, then use a pair of pliers to remove debris.
How to Fix Common Garbage Disposal Problems
There are common garbage disposal problems that homeowners face from time to time. Conducting a quick garbage disposal repair can prevent potentially costly plumbing issues.
1. Garbage Disposal Fails to Work at All
If you turn the garbage disposal switch on and nothing happens, you should try two things. First, push the reset button at the bottom of the garbage disposal and check if it fixes the issue. If this fails, check whether the circuit breaker tripped. Usually, the fix involves unplugging the disposal and checking the problem.
Step 1: Unplug the disposal to avoid accidents.
Step 2: Reach the breaker box and electric outlet to confirm if the electric wire popped out. Once you confirm the plugging is okay, you can firmly press the button and wait a few minutes before turning the disposal on in case it had overheated.
Step 3: Test the disposal outlet, then press the reset button to address any issues caused by hamming or overloading.
Step 4: If the disposal fails to work, check the switch and wiring system for any loose connection. You can flip the switch to rectify the potential electric problems.
2 How to Adress Garbage Disposal Water Leaks
Garbage disposal leaks can cause pest infestations, mold growth, warped cabinets, or foul smell. A leak at the top may mean that the sink flange is worn out and can no longer keep the seal. When the internal disposal seals burst, they are likely to cause a leak from the bottom of the unit. Leaks should be dealt with early enough to prevent damage.
Step 1: Turn off the disposal from the power source.
Step 2: Do not forget to place a pail under the sink to avoid leaking water on the floor.
Step 3: Loosen the screws typing the disposal garbage to the drain.
Step 4: Hold the flange about the sink and remove the old putty, then the flange tightly to its position.
Step 5: Re-adjust all the mounting bolts and reinstall the disposal and its plug.
Step 6: Plug on the disposal, then run cold water and turn on the disposal to test if there are any more leaks.
3. How to Fix Jammed Garbage Disposal
Basically, a garbage disposal operates at the center of a motor and a grinding chamber. In the chamber, there is a flywheel and a ring that grind food and push it down the drain. If the disposal is on and you hear a loud humming without the blades spinning, there might be jamming. This may mean solid objects like steel wool or food waste logged in the flywheel.
Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal unit.
Step 2: Insert a disposal wrench into the flywheel, which is found on the bottom of the disposal.
Step 3: To clear the jam, turn the wrench back and forth. Keep on the wrench motion until all the blades “free up.”
Step 4: Turn the disposal power back on and push the reset button
Step 5: Run water to test if there is no more humming.
4. How to Clear Clogged Disposal
If you use insufficient water or the wrong type of food when grinding, you can cause a clog in the drain trap. A clog may also occur when large amounts of food are ground at a time. If you don’t clear the clog immediately, then a clog may develop in a different area of the drain, resulting in expensive garbage disposal repair costs.
Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal.
Step 2: Make sure there is a large pail to drain any debris clogged inside the unit.
Step 3: Check inside the disposal drain for the cause of blade obstruction.
Step 4: Use a pair of long pliers to remove the obstruction in the drain hole. Push the pliers up and down the drain until you clear all debris.
Step 5: Clean out the clog, then reconnect the sink and run water.
Step 6: Turn on the disposer after plugging in.
