How much do you know about the way a garbage disposal works?
Have you ever looked at a diagram or even stuck your head under the sink to see what yours actually looks like? The contraption itself is not really a complex device. There are a few moving parts and some electrical components, but mostly it’s a glorified drain. If you take a close look, you’ll find that many of the day-to-day problems can be fixed without ever calling a plumber. Of course, if you prefer to trust such work to a professional, we’re always glad to help with any issues that may arise with your garbage disposal. At the same time, we want to simplify the repair process for you as much as possible.
Take a look below at some of the most common problems and solutions related to your garbage disposal. You might be surprised how much you can resolve on your own before ever calling a plumber. However, remember to always cut power off at the breaker prior to attempting to work on the unit for safety purposes. Also, never stick your hand into the unit, as the blades are sharp and can easily cut you.
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My garbage disposal won’t even turn on. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. It’s quite likely there is a power issue.
If your garbage disposal won’t even turn on, you should first check that it is plugged in (these are electrical devices that typically plug into a socket right under the sink). Then find the reset button on the unit and press it. One other check point is the circuit breaker; it’s possible that the breaker has been tripped and needs to be reset before the garbage disposal will turn on. If none of these solutions work, you will most likely need to replace the unit itself, as it is broken or has a bad electrical connection.
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Sometimes, you’ll hear the motor on your garbage disposal run when you flip the switch, but the blade mechanism doesn’t turn. This usually results in a humming sound, which won’t last very long and will probably trip the unit so that you will have to reset it.
The underlying problem is most likely a sign of a stuck flywheel, the mechanism that allows the blades of your garbage disposal to spin. Note: Before attempting to repair the unit, you should always turn power off at the circuit breaker to avoid any electrical accidents.
All garbage disposals come with an offset wrench. Stick the wrench into the flywheel (NEVER stick your hand into the garbage disposal) and turn clockwise. This should dislodge the impeller so that the flywheel will begin to turn again.
It’s quite likely there was something stuck in the blades or other part of the garbage disposal that caused it to lock up. At this point, with the flywheel turning again, you should run water down the drain with the unit running for about 30-45 seconds to assure that the material that was lodged is released and rinsed away.
However, this could also be a sign of something stuck in the unit for which you need assistance to remove. In this case, take advantage of our online specials to save money on drain clearing and other services.
There are also several common areas from which a garbage disposal can leak. One of the most common is around the sink flange. In this instance, you may want a professional to help you with the repair, but you can also correct the problem yourself with a little plumbing knowledge.
If the leak is around the sink flange, this could be a sign that the unit itself is loose and the three bolts holding it in place need to be tightened. If, upon checking the garbage disposal’s connection to the sink, you find the bolts are tight, you may need new plumber’s putty. For this, you will have to remove the garbage disposal, filling in the putty around the sink connection. If you don’t feel comfortable with this task, you should enlist the help of a professional plumber.
You may also find a leak at the dishwasher connection. There are a couple of possibilities here as well. You may have to tighten the clamp on the dishwasher hose, as vibration can cause it to loosen over time. There is also the possibility of having a leaky hose between the garbage disposal and the dishwasher. In this case, you will need to replace the hose itself, or call a plumber to help you.
First, check that the bolts connecting the discharge pipe to the unit are tight. If not, tightening them coud solve the problem. If this doesn’t work, or they are already tight, you will most likely need to replace the gasket.
To do this, remove the bolts and the pipe connected to the garbage disposal and replace the gasket; then return the pipe and bolts, tightening for a good seal. If you feel uncomfortable working with the plumbing directly, call for our current specials and save money on your repair.
