Your garbage disposal is probably one of the appliances you think about the least until they stop working. These mechanical marvels are wonderful for conveniently disposing of food waste and saving money on trash bags. So, before they stop working and leave you with a clogged sink, take a few moments to learn seven signs your garbage disposal needs some attention.
Sign 1: Odd Noises
Most of us have heard the unpleasant sound of silverware becoming stuck in a garbage disposal. So, if your garbage disposal is making a new sound, particularly a metallic-sounding one like this, the first thing you should do is carefully check to see if something is caught in the blades.
If nothing is stuck in the blades, it is likely internal components are misaligned, causing them to grind against each other during operation. Generally, this can be solved by a quick, professional adjustment, but it is important to solve this issue quickly to prevent damage to the motor.
Sign 2: Resets
Garbage disposals possess a reset button to allow them to recover from errors caused by clogs or oversized loads. Generally, this shouldn’t be necessary very often. So, if you find yourself frequently having to reset your disposal, this is a sign something is wrong.
Often times this means that your disposal is aging and will likely need to be replaced. This may also mean that your disposal’s wiring is becoming loose, in which case, it will need professional attention to safely repair the issue.
Sign 3: Frequent Clogging
It is always important to keep in mind that food should be put down the drain in small amounts at a time to keep the disposal from becoming clogged. However, if even the best disposal habits aren’t preventing clogs anymore, it may be due to a malfunctioning disposal. It may also mean that you just need a higher capacity disposal.
Sign 4: Power Issues
If your home’s garbage disposal is randomly shutting off or simply refusing to turn on, the first thing to check is if the circuit breaker has blown. However, if nothing is wrong with your home’s electrical system, this could indicate an aging motor that could have failed entirely. Generally, the disposal will need to be replaced.
Sign 5: Frequent Odors
Garbage disposals can naturally produce an unpleasant odor occasionally due to the presence of wet food; however, these should dissipate with a thorough rinsing.
If nothing seems to solve the issue, it may need professional help. A plumber can disassemble the device and remove trapped food particles that can cause nasty odors. Keep in mind that chemical cleaners to solve these odors should be avoided when possible. These chemicals can damage seals and lead to premature failure of blades and other components.
Sign 6: Weak Performance
Generally, food particles should be broken down quickly, which means if it begins taking excessively long for loads to pass through the disposal, something is wrong. The most common cause of this issue is blade deterioration. The blades may need to be sharpened, or if the deterioration is too severe, they may need to be replaced altogether.
Sign 7: Leaking
An aging system will often eventually lead to leaks from where the disposal connects to the rest of your plumbing. This can leave puddles underneath your sink and may be hard to distinguish from leaks caused by other appliances; so, it’s best to consult a licensed plumber to diagnose the cause.
Final Thoughts
An aging garbage disposal can make meal cleanups a pain. So, if your garbage disposal is showing any of these signs, call a plumber to see if your garbage disposal is in need of repair or replacement. This can save you from a lot of difficulties and clogs.
Contact Us
If you’re suffering from a problem with your garbage disposal, contact J Griffin Heating & Plumbing. With more than 30 years of plumbing experience, our expert plumbers can diagnose any issues and repair or replace your disposal without delay. Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.
