Sometimes, the easiest way to fix a garbage disposal is to push the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and try it again. But if that doesn’t work, the top reasons for garbage disposal failures are:
Electrical system issuesA jam in the grinding mechanismFaulty seals in the mounting, hoses, or pipe connectionsClogs in the drain pipe
The most common garbage disposal problems have solutions, are easy to diagnose, and are almost always easy to fix. Read on to see how to get your garbage disposal to work again.
Types of Garbage Disposals to Know
There are several types of garbage disposals, including batch feed and continuous. Batch feed needs to have the cover placed over the drain opening to activate the disposal. Continuous utilizes a switch to turn the unit on and off. An air switch model also uses air to activate the disposal. What all these models have in common is that the power feeding the disposal should come from an outlet under the sink. It also helps to learn more about the various parts or anatomy of a garbage disposal. The problem is almost always the result of food or a foreign object being lodged between the impeller(s) and the shredder ring inside the disposal. Read on to learn how to fix a garbage disposal jam. Removing the jam will also fix the garbage disposal humming.
Leak at the Sink Flange
The constant vibration of a garbage disposal, over time, can loosen the mounting apparatus that holds the appliance to the sink drain opening. This sink mounting flange is a likely place for leaking.
Leak at the Dishwasher Connection
The rubber hose that funnels wastewater from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal is also a place where leaks frequently occur.
Leak at the Discharge Drainpipe
Another plastic pipe carries wastewater from the disposal to the sink drain trap, and this fitting can leak when the gasket gets old. There are several good practices to remember (and some bad ones to avoid) that will reduce the chances of clogs or slow-draining problems with your garbage disposal. Don’t:
Grind up potato peelings. Peelings form a starchy paste similar to mashed potatoes when ground up, which will surely clog your drain. Put coffee grounds or egg shells into your disposal. They create very tiny bits of granular waste that will stick to any sludge in the pipe and quickly create a clog.
Do:
Maintain your disposal by regularly grinding up pieces of lemon peel and ice cubes. Avoid odors by treating your disposal every month by mixing a couple of handfuls of baking soda with a half cup of vinegar. Pour the mixture into the disposal hopper with the unit turned off. After the mixture is done foaming, rinse it down the drain with running water.
The No. 1 rule when fixing a garbage disposal: Never reach into a garbage disposal. Even if you think the disposal has been unplugged or its circuit has been shut off, do not put your hand or fingers down into the disposal. You will get hurt if a disposal accidentally gets turned on while your fingers are in the opening. The risk is not necessary.
