A garbage disposal is an incredibly useful appliance to have in the kitchen. It allows you to effortlessly sweep leftover food off your plate and down the drain, eliminating concerns about sink clogs.
However, because garbage disposals consist of numerous components, various issues can easily arise. Common problems can compromise the effectiveness of your garbage disposal, causing inconvenience and potentially leading to costly pipe damage.
Understanding these issues and knowing how to address them can help you maintain your garbage disposal in optimal working condition, ensuring a smoothly functioning kitchen and preventing unexpected repair expenses.
Safety Considerations
Never insert your hand into a garbage disposal. The sharp blades inside the disposal unit can cause severe injuries, particularly if the unit accidentally turns on. Always ensure that any maintenance or troubleshooting is performed only after the unit has been turned off (unless power is required for a specific procedure). To guarantee your garbage disposal is completely off, unplug the power cord or switch it off at the circuit breaker. For model-specific safety precautions, refer to your user manual to ensure you are following all recommended guidelines.
Problem 1: Garbage Disposal Not Turning On
Push the Reset Button
One frequent issue that can prevent your garbage disposal from turning on is a tripped internal circuit breaker. This safety feature protects the disposal unit from electrical shorts or surges. If this happens, resetting the breaker can often resolve the problem.
- Locate the Reset Button: The reset button is usually found on the bottom of the garbage disposal unit.
- Press the Reset Button: This will reset the internal circuit breaker.
- Test the Garbage Disposal: After pressing the reset button, turn the disposal on to see if it functions properly.
Check the Outlet
If your garbage disposal does not turn on when you flip the switch and you don’t hear the motor humming, it might be due to an electrical issue preventing the disposal from receiving power.
- Ensure Proper Connection: Verify that the garbage disposal is securely plugged into the outlet.
- Check the Outlet and Power Cord: Ensure that both the outlet and power cord are in good condition and properly connected.
- Test the Garbage Disposal: Try turning it on again to see if the issue is resolved.
Check for Power
If your garbage disposal is plugged in but still not working, the problem could be a tripped circuit breaker or a wiring issue.
- Inspect the Circuit Breaker: Check your home’s breaker panel to see if the circuit breaker for the garbage disposal has tripped. If it has, reset it.
- Use a Voltage Tester: If the breaker has not tripped, use a voltage tester to check if power is flowing to the garbage disposal.
- Inspect Wiring Connections: If there is no power, turn off the circuit breaker and remove the faceplate from the disposal switch. Inspect the wiring and tighten any loose connections.
- Restore Power and Test: Turn the power back on and test the garbage disposal to see if it is now operational.
- Additional Tips
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically check the garbage disposal and its connections to ensure everything is in working order.
- Avoid Overloading: Do not overload the garbage disposal with large amounts of food waste at once, as this can cause jams and other issues.
- Proper Usage: Always run cold water while using the garbage disposal to help solidify any grease or fats, making them easier to grind up and flush away.
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and potentially resolve common issues that prevent your garbage disposal from turning on, ensuring your kitchen appliance remains in good working condition.
Problem 2: Garbage Disposal Humming, but Not Turning
Fix Flywheel and Impeller Jams
- If your garbage disposal is making a humming sound but not turning, it likely indicates a jammed impeller or flywheel. This situation can lead to motor burnout unless the reset button or circuit breaker intervenes. The humming sound typically signals a clogged garbage disposal, with the obstruction located between the impellers and the shredder ring.
Turn Off Power
- Ensure the garbage disposal is completely powered off by switching off the unit and the circuit breaker.
Dislodge Obstructions
- Use an offset wrench or hex wrench and insert it into the flywheel hole at the bottom of the unit. Turn the flywheel clockwise to dislodge any obstructions.
- If you don’t have the appropriate wrench, use pliers or tongs to reach and remove the obstruction if it’s higher up in the disposal.
Restore Power and Reset
- After removing the obstruction, restore power to the garbage disposal and press the reset button to reset the internal circuit breaker.
Test the Disposal
- Run tap water into the disposal. Quickly flip the switch on and off to provide short bursts of power, which should spin the flywheel and flush any dislodged debris down the drain.
- Additional Tips
- Regular Inspection: Periodically inspect the inside of your garbage disposal for potential jams or build-ups.
- Avoid Hard Objects: Do not place hard objects such as bones or fibrous materials like corn husks into the disposal, as these can easily cause jams.
- Use Cold Water: Always use cold water when running the garbage disposal to help solidify any grease or fats, making them easier to grind and flush away.
By following these steps, you can effectively address and resolve the issue of a humming but not-turning garbage disposal, ensuring it continues to operate smoothly and efficiently.
Problem 3: Garbage Disposal Leaking
Garbage disposal leaks can originate from several areas, including the sink flange, the dishwasher connection hose, and the discharge drainpipe. Identifying the source of the leak is crucial for an effective solution.
Leak at the Sink Flange
The constant vibration from a garbage disposal can eventually loosen the mounting apparatus that secures the unit to the sink drain opening, making the sink flange a common source of leaks.
- Turn Off the Power: Ensure the garbage disposal is powered off.
- Remove the Disposal: At the disposal mounting ring under the sink, turn the unit counter-clockwise to loosen and remove it from the mounting flange.
- Apply Plumber’s Putty:
- Apply a new bead of plumber’s putty between the sink flange and the sink.
- Tighten the three mounting bolts securing the flange to the sink. Wipe away any excess putty that oozes out.
- Reinstall the Disposal: Reattach the disposal and restore power at the service panel.
Check for Leaks: Run water in the sink and check for any leaks around the flange.
Leak at the Dishwasher Connection
The rubber hose that channels wastewater from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal is another common leak point.
- Tighten the Hose Clamp: Ensure the hose clamp on the dishwasher hose connected to the dishwasher inlet on the disposal is tight.
- Replace the Hose: If the hose continues to leak, replace it with a new one.
Leak at the Discharge Drainpipe
The discharge drainpipe, which carries wastewater from the disposal to the sink drain trap, can leak if its gasket becomes old and worn.
- Check the Bolts: Ensure the bolts holding the discharge pipe to the disposal are tight.
- Replace the Gasket:
- If tightening the bolts does not stop the leak, remove the bolts and the discharge pipe.
- Replace the gasket seal between the pipe and the disposal.
- Reinstall the bolts and tighten them securely.
Problem 4: Garbage Disposal Draining Slowly
Clear the Drain Trap.
Slow drainage in a garbage disposal is typically caused by similar clogs that can affect any sink drain. Clearing these clogs often involves disassembling the drain trap and discharge pipe to remove obstructions.
- Disassemble the Drain Trap:
- Remove the bolts securing the discharge pipe to the disposal.
- Disconnect the drain trap and the discharge drainpipe from the disposal.
- Check for Clogs:
- Inspect the drain trap and discharge drainpipe for any clogs or obstructions.
- Clean the interior of the disposal to ensure there are no blockages.
- Clear the Branch Drain Line:
- If no clogs are found in the trap or discharge pipe, the obstruction may be in the branch drain line leading into the wall.
- Use a sink auger to clear the obstruction in the branch drain line.
- Reassemble the Drain Trap: Once the clog is cleared, reassemble the drain trap and reconnect the discharge tube to the side of the garbage disposal.
- Test the Drainage:
- Run water into the sink and turn on the garbage disposal.
- Ensure that the water drains freely without any signs of slow drainage.
When to Seek Professional Help
Garbage disposal issues can arise from regular wear and tear, misuse, or electrical faults. Many problems can be prevented by understanding what should not be disposed of in garbage disposals and how to maintain them properly.
However, not all issues are suitable for DIY solutions. Faulty, loose, or damaged wiring in the disposal unit may require professional intervention. Additionally, certain problems may indicate larger underlying issues.
For example, if the internal circuit breaker repeatedly trips, cutting off power to the disposal, it could signal an obstruction or electrical short.
If you’ve attempted the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier without success, it might be time to enlist the help of a plumber or consider replacing the unit.
Typically, a simple repair costs around $100 or less, while a new garbage disposal unit ranges from approximately $80 to $500. Despite the initial expense, garbage disposals are a worthwhile investment for your kitchen and can provide up to 10 years of service when properly maintained. If you’re considering a new unit, check out our guide on how to choose the best garbage disposal to find the perfect one for your needs.
- FAQ
No, unplugging the garbage disposal won't reset it. Instead, you should press the reset button located on the bottom of the unit. If the button pops back out after restoring power to the unit, wait about 10 minutes, then try again.
Garbage disposals commonly become locked up due to large food particles jamming between the impeller blade and the drain hole. This obstruction prevents the disposal from turning and functioning properly.
Slow drainage in a garbage disposal is often caused by clogs in the drain trap or discharge pipe. To resolve this issue, disassemble the drain trap and discharge pipe, remove any obstructions, and reassemble the components.
Proper maintenance of your garbage disposal involves avoiding putting non-food items, grease, and fibrous foods like celery and onion skins down the disposal. Additionally, regularly running cold water while using the disposal helps prevent clogs and keeps it clean.
