Is your garbage disposal giving you headaches? Whether it won’t turn on, it’s making weird noises, or there’s water leaking everywhere, I know how frustrating that can be.
Don’t worry, though. Most garbage disposal problems are easy to fix yourself. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to get your disposal back up and running.
For more details on how to diagnose a malfunctioning disposal, go here.
Difficulty and Duration
Good news! Most garbage disposal repairs totally doable for anyone with basic tools and a bit of patience. You won’t need to block off your whole day either. Most repairs take less than a couple of hours.
How Garbage Disposals Work
Before we dive into fixes, it helps to understand what we’re dealing with. Your disposal sits under the kitchen sink, connected to both your drain and electrical power. Inside, there’s what’s called an impeller plate with spinning blades that chop up food into tiny bits so it can flow through your pipes without causing problems.
When a garbage disposal stops working, it’s usually because something’s stuck, clogged, or there’s an electrical issue with the breaker tripping. Once you know the basic parts, figuring out what’s wrong becomes much more manageable.
Safety Tips
Safety is super important when trying to fix a garbage disposal.
Here’s what you absolutely need to remember:
- Always, always unplug the disposal or turn off its circuit breaker before you start poking around.
- Never stick your hands inside (seriously, just don’t do it). Use a flashlight to look inside and proper tools to fish stuff out.
These aren’t just suggestions. They’re the steps to keep all your fingers intact!
Best Practices for Maintenance
Want to avoid problems in the first place? Here’s what I recommend for keeping your disposal running smoothly:
Run it regularly, even if you’re not grinding food. This keeps everything moving and prevents rust. Always use cold water when you’re grinding food (it helps solidify any grease so it flushes out better). Give it a good cleaning once a week with some dish soap and warm water. Some people swear by grinding ice to keep the blades sharp. Oh, and don’t try to stuff too much in there at once. That’s just asking for trouble.
Trust me, these simple habits will save you headaches down the road.
Signs of a Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal
Your disposal will usually let you know when it needs attention. Here are the main signs to watch for:
It might refuse to turn on, or you hear the garbage disposal humming but not grinding anything. Sometimes, it’ll keep running even after you flip the switch off (super annoying!). You might notice water leaking under your sink or the sink draining super slowly. Each of these symptoms usually points to a specific problem, and most of them are totally fixable without calling in the pros.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Before you start fixing things, grab these tools:
- A couple different screwdrivers
- A hex key (also called an Allen wrench)
- An adjustable wrench
- A good flashlight
- Some pliers
- A bucket (trust me, you’ll want this)
- A plunger
Having everything ready before you start will make the whole process way smoother.
Troubleshooting Steps
Resetting the Garbage Disposal
Sometimes, the fix is super simple:
- Make sure it’s actually plugged in (hey, it happens to the best of us!)
- Look for the garbage disposal reset button on the bottom of the unit and give it a press
- Check your circuit breaker: maybe something tripped
- Take a quick look at the wiring if you can see it
You’d be surprised how often just hitting that reset button solves everything.
Fixing a Humming or Jammed Unit
If you hear humming, something’s probably stuck in there.
- First things first: unplug it or turn off the power
- Find the hex hole on the bottom and use your garbage disposal wrench to turn it back and forth
- No wrench? A wooden spoon handle works to turn the spinning plate from above.
Usually, this gets things moving again.
Unclogging a Garbage Disposal
When water’s backing up into your sink:
- Get rid of any standing water (this is where that bucket comes in handy)
- Use your hex key in the disposal’s base to free up the blades
These steps usually get things flowing again.
Fixing Leaks
Water leaks can be a real pain:
- If it’s leaking from the top, try tightening the mounting flange or putting some new plumber’s putty around it
- Leaking from the bottom? Hate to say it, but that usually means it’s time for a new disposal
Don’t ignore leaks – they’ll cause more damage if you let them go.
Proper and Improper Use of Garbage Disposals
What you put into your disposal affects how well it works.
Go ahead and grind:
- Veggie scraps
- Small fruit peels
- Tiny fish bones
Keep these out:
- Anything greasy or fatty (it’ll coat your pipes and cause clogs)
- Big bones or tough veggie pieces (they’ll jam everything up)
- Pasta and rice (they keep expanding and block things)
- Coffee grounds (they build up like concrete in your pipes)
Treat your disposal right, and it’ll return the favor!
Your garbage disposal is one of those things you only think about once it stops working. The good news is that most problems are totally fixable with some basic tools and a little effort. If you run into something that seems way over your head, or if you need professional garbage disposal repair, give us a shout at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing! We’re your punctual plumbers, and we’ll get there on time to get you taken care of.