Troubleshooting Your Broken Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is a great device that helps you get rid of food waste. Like any other appliance in your kitchen, it can malfunction. You may find that it does not work at all, or it may be making strange noises. If you find that your garbage disposal is not working, you will want to do a few troubleshooting steps. These steps will all depend on what the garbage disposal is doing.
Garbage Disposal Not Powering On
If you do not hear a humming sound coming from your garbage disposal, something is wrong with the power connection. Check the plug to make sure that the garbage disposal is plugged in. There are times when the disposal might be accidentally unplugged. If it is plugged in, unplug it and press the reset switch and plug back in. If you still do not get any power, you will want to look at the circuit breaker to make sure that it is not tripped. If this still does not work, you will want to call out a plumbing professional to fix your broken garbage disposal.
Jammed Flywheel
If your garbage disposal is making a humming sound even when it is not turned on, this is indicating that you have a stuck flywheel. This will affect everything, including the circuit breaker. If the jammed flywheel is not corrected, it will cause a burnt motor. If you are skilled at repair work, you can get a wrench and turn the flywheel. Make sure that you have the power on. The wheel should move loosely once you free it. Inspect the flywheel to see if there is any food residue or silverware that has clogged the flywheel. If you do not feel comfortable with fixing the flywheel yourself, you will want to call out a plumber.
Leaks
There are several parts of your garbage disposal that can leak. This includes the sink flange, dishwasher connections, and the drainage connections. If you see a leak, you will want to have this repaired as soon as possible. Leaks can quickly destroy your floors, increase your water bill, and even lead to wastewater backing up into your home.
Cracked or Faulty Garbage Disposal
If you see any damage to your garbage disposal or it just will not work, you should consider a replacement. There are many ways a unit can get damaged, and the cost to repair them may be more than what the garbage disposal is worth. Having a plumber install a new disposal will help to ensure that you have a functional garbage disposal for many years to come.
Clogs
If your garbage disposal is not draining, it could be an issue with your kitchen sink drain being blocked. Grease and other debris are clogging the line. You will want to try to clean out your clogged sink. Fill it with a soapy solution and try to plunge the clog out. If this does not work, use a snake to unclog the drain. Do not use chemical drain cleaners as these will just hurt your pipes. You may also be dealing with a clogged dishwasher. A grease blockage can also happen with your dishwasher drain and can throw your whole drainage system off. If you are unable to get the clog out, please call a plumber to remove the clog.
Preventing Issues With Your Garbage Disposal
Prevention can help you to extend the life of your garbage disposal. Never put grease or other debris down your drain, as this can lead to clogs and your garbage disposal failing. Never run your garbage disposal without water, and if an issue arises, you will want to call a plumber out immediately. The longer the issue goes, the worse it may be.
At Price’s Plumbing, we are here for all your plumbing needs. We proudly serve Burlington, Gloucester, and Camden counties in NJ. If you have an issue with your garbage disposal, please give us a call today. One of our friendly plumbers will come out and ensure that your disposal is back up and running again. We can be reached at (856) 325-9719.