Garbage Disposal Repair

One of the most popular or all household appliances is the garbage disposer, which is found in almost every home in America.  Garbage disposers are designed to grind up scrap food into small pieces, where it then flows into the sewer system.  One of the advantages of the system is the ability to quickly dispose of organic material, without leaving it in the trash, where it can attract bugs, rodents and other pests.  While garbage disposals are very reliable, they can require periodic repair in order for them to perform as designed. 

Typically garbage disposer repairs are related to either a power issue or something stuck inside the unit. In many cases, electrical problems are related to something being stuck in the disposer, which trips either the main breaker supplying power to the appliance or the breaker within the disposal itself.  In cases where the electrical issue is related to a blockage, the blockage must be removed.  If the disposer is not blocked, the cause of the electrical issue must be determined and corrected before attempting to use the disposer. 

When something is stuck in the disposal it is critical that the item be safely removed prior to the disposer being used again.  Methods of removal vary, but do not include placing your hand in the disposal!   While sometimes it is possible to break free the disposal using the disposal wrench, in many cases it is necessary to remove the disposal from the sink and partially disassemble the disposer itself to safely remove the blockage.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

Troubleshooting Garbage Disposal Problems

You may not realize just how much you depend on your garbage disposal until it stops working. It’s very convenient to be able to scrape leftover food off plates and pans right down your drain, plus it disposes of food waste which can begin to smell or attract pests to your property. The two most common issues which need troubleshooting in disposals are jams and power issues.

Disposal Does Not Turn On

If you flip the switch for your disposal and you hear nothing, you most likely have either a power or motor failure. The first and easiest area to check is the power. It can often be as simple as the mechanism becoming overloaded by a power surge or other electrical issue. Most disposals have a reset button on the bottom of the device; push in the red button, then try the switch again. If nothing happens, you may have a motor failure or other electrical problem. It is time to call in a plumber. 

Disposal Is Jammed

While a garbage disposal can chop up many food scrap items, there are also items which can jam the blades and cause the device to malfunction. Bones, seeds and non-food items are common causes of jammed blades, which can quickly burn up the motor if not fixed. If you turn on the disposal and it makes a loud hum, turn it off immediately. It is most likely jammed or clogged. The sharp blades can be dangerous, so call in an experienced plumber to address the issue. The best solution is prevention; keep bones, seeds, high fiber peels and non-food foreign objects out of your disposal.

Still not sure what the problem is with your garbage disposal? Call your local plumber to inspect and repair any complicated disposal issues.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing