Garbage Disposals and the Problems They Can Have

Garbage disposals are hardy appliances, but they can be prone to problems. When you hear a humming sound, first check to make sure it's unplugged and that the power breaker/fuse is on.

Most problems occur when people put the wrong food in the disposal or forget to clean the appliance. The good news is that most of these problems can be fixed with a few simple steps.

Clogs

Garbage disposals work like blenders, with spinning blades chopping up food waste into tiny bits and pieces. Then, running water flushes the particles through a drain pipe to a sewer or septic system. That works great for most kitchen scraps, but some items can cause clogs.

Egg shells may seem harmless enough, but they can dull and clog the disposal's blades, causing it to operate less efficiently. The same goes for onion skins and other fibrous foods.

Fats, oils and cooking grease also can cause problems. Without proper flushing, they can solidify and block the disposal and sink plumbing.

To prevent these clogs, always run cold water when the disposal is running and pour a pot of hot water down the drain when you're done. You should also clean the drain trap assembly regularly with a flexible P-trap snake or wooden broom handle. If a clog is too stubborn, you can use a plunger or a plumbing snake to clear it.

Overheating

If you find that your disposal shuts itself off during use and begins to overheat, it’s time for a reset. Cut power to your disposal by flipping the wall switch or unplugging it from underneath your sink. Locate the red button that’s popped out if you’re lucky enough to have one (as opposed to the flywheel wrench hole located on the bottom of most models) and press it. Wait for a few minutes to let the unit cool down before plugging it back in and turning it on.

If that doesn’t work, shine a flashlight into the disposal opening and try to spot an obstruction or clog. If you can see a blockage, remove it with a pair of tongs before turning on the disposal. If it continues to overheat and burn or emit smoke, there’s likely a motor issue that needs to be fixed by an experienced professional. It’s also possible that a circuit breaker has tripped and you’ll need to reset it.

Electrical Issues

A garbage disposal saves money by reducing the amount of food waste you toss in the trash and prevents stinky kitchen odors, but it can have problems. Most of the time, these issues are easy to fix if you know what to do.

First, check to make sure the disposal is plugged in and that its electrical switch is on. If the disposal is plugged in and its electrical switch is on, but it won’t start or hum, there is a chance that it has a power jam. Remove the switch cover plate and use a 1/4-inch hex wrench to crank both directions to clear the jam.

If the unit still won’t turn on, it may have tripped its internal circuit breaker, so check the breaker box and reset it. You may also need to look at the switch, either installed up on the wall or underneath the sink, and see if its terminal connections are loose or need tightening.

Noise

A garbage disposal makes a pretty loud noise when it grinds food waste down to itty-bitty bits that get flushed away. That’s why you should only put food into it that can be broken down by the blades – like scraps of meat, fruit and vegetables. Anything else – such as paper bags, foil and candy wrappers – should be saved for the trash or compost pile rather than the disposal because it can damage or clog your drains or plumbing pipes.

When your disposal starts making rattling or humming sounds, it’s time to look for the problem. The rattling is typically caused by an object getting stuck in the gap where the blades meet the housing and prevents them from spinning freely. If the humming sound is coming from underneath, it’s likely an internal circuit breaker issue that needs to be addressed by a professional.

If your disposal won’t turn on when you flip the switch, start with turning off power to it. Then, check for a tripped breaker with a voltage tester.

Like most plumbing issues, a professional plumber in Melbourne is better suited for the repair.