Garbage disposals are under constant use in most kitchens. They are a great way to dispose of leftover food waste, and though normally durable, they can sometimes run into problems.
Most of the time, however, the cause is due to neglect and overestimation of its abilities.
Garbage disposals are under constant use in most kitchens, and when they do not function properly, they may cause your drain line to back-up. Grease build-up can also prevent water from flowing freely and over time, the components of a garbage disposal wear out and require replacement.
A common occurrence is foreign objects, such as silverware, ending up inside your appliance. This can damage the inside of the machine, and can render it to stop working completely.
Another common issue that can clog up a garbage disposal is certain food waste. Starchy, fibrous foods such as celery and vegetable peelings can be hard work for even the most industrious machine, coffee grounds have also been known to clog up a disposal unit!
Garbage Disposal Problems
Unit won’t turn on - Turn off your garbage disposal and make sure that it is plugged in properly. Make sure there’s power by flipping all breakers and fuses. Also check the reset button has not been pushed in. Turn the disposal back on to see if it works. If not, then you may need to replace or repair the unit, as it has probably burnt out.
Jammed Disposal
If your garbage disposal won’t turn on, or it makes a humming noise when activated, you may have something in there that's jamming the blades. Simply turn off the breaker box and free up any jams with wire brushes to remove foreign objects before they can cause more damage!
Grinding Noises
Metal on metal noises can be a sign of something stuck in your disposal unit or the parts have moved incorrectly. If you determine that nothing is lodged and the sound continues, then it might need replacing!
Slow Draining
The garbage disposal should work very quickly and efficiently. If it is taking an excessively long time to grind up food, then there's a chance that the blades are dull or the pipe has become clogged.
Leaks
Over time, disposal leaks can happen because of wear and tear. Normally they are easy fixes, as either the O-ring needs replacing or some parts