Garbage Disposal Struggles: Common Problems To Watch For

Even the most reliable garbage disposal can have an off-day. Sometimes, your garbage disposal malfunctions for reasons you may not have ever thought of. Understanding the basics of what causes garbage disposal issues can help you to address these problems with the right repair steps. Here are some issues that can lead to garbage disposal repairs. 

Not Running 

If you turn on the garbage disposal and the unit doesn't respond at all, that's an indication of a power disruption. You should check the power source to be sure that the unit is plugged in. If you're sure that it's plugged into an outlet that's getting power, check the breaker to be sure that it hasn't tripped. If you rule out the breaker too, it could be a tripped fuse or a blown fuse inside the disposal. Look for the reset button on the disposal and press it. If that doesn't resolve the problem, you'll need to reach out to a repair technician for more help.

Jammed

When you turn the garbage disposal on, the blades should spin and it should break down anything you've put in. If you turn it on and hear the motor hum, but the blades don't actually spin, that is an indication that the disposal is jammed. Whether it's a piece of food that's jammed it or just a glitch with the motor, you should be able to break it free again.

Start by locating the hole at the base of the disposal. Put a screwdriver in the hole, with the disposal turned off, and try to turn the blade manually. Apply pressure until the blade seems to move. Then, remove the screwdriver and try to run the disposal again. If it doesn't run after a few attempts at this, reach out to a disposal repair technician to address the issue.

Leaking

You wouldn't expect garbage disposals to leak since it's an enclosed unit. However, o-ring seals, pipe connections, and disposal cases can all suffer failures that allow the unit to leak over time. If you've noticed a leak coming from your garbage disposal, it's important to call a repair technician to inspect it and find the source. That way, you can be sure that the problem is fixed correctly.

These are some of the most common reasons for problems with your garbage disposal. If you're experiencing issues like these, reach out to a repair technician as soon as possible. He or she can help you to isolate and repair the problem as soon as possible.