Garbage disposals are the cause of many kitchen problems. Not only are they easy to clog, but they may leak, drain slowly, or may not even turn on. Luckily, you can fix many of these common garbage disposal problems on your own.
If you are dealing with broken garbage disposals, there are ways that you can troubleshoot different garbage disposal issues to find the problem. Do you want to learn how to fix broken garbage disposal in your home?
Keep reading these tips for repairing garbage disposal and to learn when you should hire a garbage disposal repair company to help.
See if the Garbage Disposal Will Turn On
One of the first things that you should do if your garbage disposal is not working is to check if the garbage disposal will turn on at all. When you turn on the switch and nothing happens with your garbage disposal, there may be a few different causes.
First, you may have electrical issues. This happens when there is a problem with the breaker or if the power cord for your garbage disposal is unplugged. You can simply test the cord to see if you need to plug it in.
Next, the motor in your garbage disposal may be broken. In this case, the only solution is to replace your garbage disposal.
Finally, a garbage disposal that does not turn may be clogged. If the motor sounds like it is trying to turn, there may be something blocking the blades. If there is too much food or a utensil in the garbage disposal, removing the blockage can repair the issue.
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Garbage Disposal Makes a Humming Sound
Another common problem is garbage disposal making humming noise. If you hear a humming sound, it means that your motor still has power going to it, but there may be something that prevents the blades from turning.
This may be due to overheating. If your disposal is unable to cool down, it will shut off the blades to prevent more problems. This is often due to overuse.
Another reason you might hear a humming sound is if you wear out the garbage disposal. If you use the grinder too often, the blades will become dull and will not be able to cut through your excess food.
Finally, your grinder may also be clogged with waste. In these cases, you can try pressing the reset button that is located at the bottom of your disposal.
Check for Leaks
Something else that can help you identify problems with your garbage disposal is checking for leaks. Because so much water is constantly passing through your kitchen drain and garbage disposal, it can lead to leaking, water damage, and other serious issues.
This leaking typically occurs near rubber gaskets, drain lines, and even the reset button. If there is a split or crack at your disposal, this can lead to leaking as well.
By identifying the source of the leak, you can determine how to fix it. Cracks can be sealed with epoxy. If there are loose connections, they can be fixed with a clamp or even a zip tie.
Garbage Disposal Odor
Odor is something that commonly happens to your garbage disposal because there is so much food waste that goes through the disposal. If this waste sits too long, it will begin to rot and will stink your kitchen up.
When you notice an odor coming from your garbage disposal, there are a few things that you can do to lessen the smell.
If you do not want to buy specialty products for cleaning your garbage disposal, you can use things from your kitchen like vinegar, ice, and even citrus peels to help wash away the rotting waste.
Slow Draining Garbage Disposal
Finally, you may notice that your garbage disposal does not drain as fast as it should. If the water doesn’t drain, it is likely due to a clogged drain trap.
This trap is something that looks like a P or an S-shaped pipe. Because these pipes curve so much, food can get stuck if you do not have enough water flowing to push it through the trap.
As more food gets stuck, the clogs can form and prevent your sink from draining.
If this is the case, you can take apart these pipes to clean out the clogged trap. Make sure you have a bucket beneath these pipes so that no water spills under your sink.
Once you unhook the pipe, you can use some type of cable or a drain snake that will break up the clogs in your sink. After running water through the trap, it should drain freely.
Learn How to Fix a Broken Garbage Disposal Today
A broken garbage disposal may seem like a complicated repair, but in reality, it can be simple to fix. By following each of these troubleshooting tips, you can identify the source of your garbage disposal issues and get it up and running again.
When you need help with kitchen repairs with your plumbing, it can be helpful to utilize a professional plumbing company.
They can help you identify the issues with your kitchen problems, whether you need help fixing your garbage disposal or anything else.
Do you want to learn more about how you can fix a broken garbage disposal or make other kitchen repairs? We can help! Check out the other articles on our website to learn about other DIY home improvements and repairs you can do for your home.
