What’s Wrong with My Garbage Disposal?

With the garbage disposal safely turned off, and kitchen gloves on for safety, carefully search the drain for any food, silverware, or other substances that may be stuck. Then, clean your garbage disposal with hot running water to make sure any lingering residues are gone.

Is Your Garbage Disposal Not Turning On?

You flip the switch to turn on your garbage disposal, but nothing happens. You may hear a noise or two, but the mess in your sink stays right where it is.

There are two possibilities in this situation. If you’re still hearing a noise, or any other indication that your garbage disposal is still turning on but just not working, then your blades are dull and need to be sharpened, which you’ll have to contact our plumbers to help you with.

If your garbage disposal isn’t turning on at all, then you need to check that it’s still plugged in correctly. With the disposal turned safely off, double-check that the breaker is turned on and the reset button hasn’t been pushed accidentally, then turn it back on and see if it works. If you’re still seeing problems, your garbage disposal may need to be replaced.

Is Your Garbage Disposal Leaking?

Water coming out of your garbage disposal is messy and inconvenient. Leaks indicate that certain fastenings need to be tightened or replaced, but the exact solution depends on the location of the leak. While it is possible to tighten these fastenings yourself, it’s best to [hls_phone_number] call our plumbers to avoid further damages.

Know When it’s Time to Replace Your Garbage Disposal

Sometimes, the issues your garbage disposal is facing aren’t quick fixes, but signs that your unit has become too worn-out to function. With proper maintenance, most garbage disposals tend to last around 15 years. However, certain accumulated damages or wear-and-tear can cause them to fail earlier.

Your Garbage Disposal May Need to Be Replaced If:

• You’re regularly experiencing issues like the above
• There are strange smells that you just can’t get rid of
• You need to frequently reset it

If you have questions about your garbage disposal, our plumbers are always here to help! Contact us for advice, repairs, replacements, or anything else you need!