Garbage Disposal
Prevent Problems With Your Garbage Disposal
A Poorly Functioning Garbage Disposal Can:
Provide a breeding ground to bacteria that can harm your family’s health.
Cause partially ground food scraps to clog the sink drain and pipes.
Cause foul smells in the kitchen sink drain.
Affect the operation of your dishwasher.
Create more waste, which impacts the environment.
The Importance of a Functional Garbage Disposal
A functional garbage disposal unit is an integral component of a modern kitchen, responsible for shredding waste food into small pieces to pass easily through the drain pipe. When working optimally, your garbage disposal unit reduces the chances of a blocked sink drain — mitigating foul odors and potential plumbing issues in the process.
It’s important to run water, preferably cold water, while using the garbage disposal to assist the grinding process of the impeller blades and to facilitate the smooth flow of waste into the drain line. Regular use of your disposal unit also prevents the mounting bolts from seizing, ensuring that it remains in a functional state.
Signs Your Garbage Disposal Is Broken
Identifying signs of a broken garbage disposal is key to maintaining an efficient kitchen. While it may be obvious, one important sign to watch out for is when the garbage disposal stops working. Despite trying to turn the disposal on, you may not hear the normal grinding noise, or it may produce an unusual humming sound. This could indicate that the impeller blades are jammed or that the motor is malfunctioning.
If your unit doesn’t operate at all, it’s important to check the circuit breaker in the electrical panel, as a tripped breaker could be the issue. A persistently clogged sink drain, even after you run the disposal, or an inability to run water through the drain pipe effectively could also suggest that your garbage disposal unit requires attention.
Should You Repair or Replace a Garbage Disposal?
Deciding whether to repair or replace your garbage disposal unit when it stops working is dependent on a few factors. For minor issues like a jam, you may be able to use a wrench or a hex wrench to unplug the bottom of the disposal and manually turn the impeller blades, restoring function without needing to schedule professional disposal repair. Before doing so, always ensure to disconnect the unit from the electrical panel for safety.
However, if your garbage disposal stops working frequently, makes a continuous humming sound, or doesn’t work properly despite resetting the circuit breaker, it might be more cost-effective to replace the entire unit. It’s also worth noting that modern garbage disposals are more efficient, quiet and are often easier to install due to improved mounting bolts design. Remember, while running cold water can help the disposal run smoothly, regular maintenance checks are crucial for the unit to work properly over the long term.
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