Garbage disposals are an important part of most kitchens. They can help keep your sink from clogging, and they make cleaning up a lot easier. It’s far more convenient to run the disposal than gathering up old food particles and carrying them to the trash can.
However, garbage disposals will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. There are some signs you can look out for that may indicate that it is time for you to get a replacement disposal, and we will discuss a few of these in this article.
It Stops Working
This is the most obvious sign that a replacement may be needed. However, there are a few things to check before calling a plumber. First of all, make sure that your disposal is still plugged into an outlet. Next, check the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and make sure it is pushed in. Finally, if neither of the previous steps have helped, check your circuit breakers and make sure none of them have tripped.
If the unit is still making a humming sound when it is turned on, but the blades aren’t spinning, there may still be hope for your unit. This means that the disposal is still receiving power, but something is blocking the blades from spinning. Try turning the disposal off and removing the power cord from the wall. Next, try looking for the obstruction with a flashlight and removing it. If this does not work, try turning the blades manually with an Allen wrench. If neither of these steps works, it may be time to call a plumber to either remove the obstruction or replace the unit.
Unpleasant Odors
A garbage disposal contains food particles and moisture, so odors are certainly a risk. Odors are particularly likely if you use your disposal for foods that should not be placed in the disposal, such as greasy foods, coffee grounds, or potato skins.
Foods like these can stick to the blades of the disposal causing odors or cause clogs. If you do place these foods in the disposal, it is best to clean the disposal with hot water and a degreaser cleaner afterwards. Then, you should run a few cups of ice through the disposal. This will not only clean food particles from the blades but sharpen them as well. However, unfortunately, this will not remove all food particles. If a large piece of food gets stuck too deep in the disposal, it may need to be replaced.
A Sluggish Drain
You could find that your garbage disposal still works quite well but that your sink is really slow to drain. This could be caused by a clog in your disposal or possibly the drain. You could try to carefully manually turn the blades after unplugging the disposal; then, if this doesn’t work, plunge your sink. If this still doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to hire a plumber to unclog your garbage disposal and sink. Or, you may need a new garbage disposal.
Leaking Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can leak from a number of areas depending on what the problem is. If your garbage disposal is leaking from the top, it is likely not a serious problem. It could be a damaged putty seal or flange where the disposal connects to the drain, which is simple to replace.
However, if the garbage disposal is leaking at the bottom of the unit, it may be a more serious problem. It could mean an internal seal is damaged. If this is the case, it would probably be cheaper to replace the unit than repair it.
Final Thoughts
A garbage disposal can make cleaning up after meals a lot easier, so it’s well worth taking care of. You can make the disposal last longer by keeping it clean and being careful not to use it for items it’s not intended for. But, eventually, it will need to be replaced. Just keep an eye out for the signs listed in this article, and you will know when to replace your garbage disposal.
Contact Us
If your garbage disposal has seen better days, then contact J Griffin Heating & Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers are ready to replace your garbage disposal quickly with minimal disruption to your routine. Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.