It may come as shock to some, but not all good things can last forever. Garbage disposals are highly convenient for those who love to cook, as throwing leftover food scraps down the sink drain can make preparing food a breeze. However, the constant use and regular wear and tear eventually call for a garbage disposal replacement or repair. Let’s dive into the six signs telling you you need a plumber to fix your garbage disposal.
- Your garbage disposal is suddenly not making any noise. If you are flipping the switch to turn on your garbage disposal and no noise is happening, you might have a problem. First of all, double-check that the garbage disposal is plugged in, as it may have gotten accidentally unplugged. If it is plugged in, the breaker may have tripped. This can usually be fixed by pushing the “reset” switch on your outlet. If the outlet is working, but the garbage disposal is not, then it may be damaged or need to be replaced.
- Your garbage disposal smells. If your garbage disposal is not properly chopping up the food and draining it, then it will create a smelly odor. To test this, put lemon peels down the drain and turn it on to see if that removes the smell first. If the lemon peels don’t remove the bad odor, or it returns quickly, then there is probably a problem with your garbage disposal’s draining capabilities. Over time, the blades will dull and the disposal will not work as effectively, calling for a repair or replacement.
- Your garbage disposal is draining slowly. If your garbage disposal begins to drain slowly, this is a sign you have a clogged drain line. Sometimes, using baking soda and vinegar can help clear it out. Avoid using chemical cleaners, as these can linger in your system and cause other problems. If the baking soda and vinegar mixture doesn’t help the line drain, then you will probably have to call in a professional plumber to come and disassemble the drain, clear the clog, and reassemble it.
- Your garbage disposal is leaking. If water or other liquids are leaking through the garbage disposal, you likely have a broken seal. This will need to be sealed or replaced, but could also be a sign of a larger problem. It could be a broken gasket, an improperly sealed garbage disposal case, or a loose drainpipe. These issues will all likely require the services of an expert plumber.
Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal
Overall, garbage disposal problems usually occur from an operator error. In other words, the user typically makes the mistake of improperly disposing of waste, or shoving too much waste and jamming the disposal. In order to avoid these problems from occurring, try to avoid putting these things down your garbage disposal:
- Grease
- Coffee grounds
- Oil
- Large chunks of food
- Potatoes
- Tough meat
Call in the Professionals
If you’ve tried everything and just can’t seem to pinpoint what’s wrong with your garbage disposal, or you just want the professionals to handle the job, call Core Plumbing! Servicing the San Diego area, our family-run business is available to help you solve any plumbing issue, big or small. Visit our website or call now for more information on how to schedule an appointment today.
