Food particles, foreign objects, soap, or grease, tend to be the primary culprits for clogged and jammed disposal units. Blockages can also occur if you do not perform routine checkups and maintenance. Pipes can also get rusty or eroded over time. This causes leaks and foul smells, and you may have to replace them.
It can be annoying to see your disposer broken when you are running out of time. Dealing with clogging, humming sound, leaking, bad smell, or poor drainage in your garbage disposal in your home or workplace can be a nightmare. You can troubleshoot some minor issues by yourself, and if it is beyond you, a professional can always help.
Here are some ways to help you fix your broken garbage disposal.
1) Call a Technician
You cannot solve all plumbing problems with DIY techniques, and in such times, you can call in a plumber. It is a good idea to have a reliable plumbing company such as NexGen HVAC & Plumbing that can answer your distress call any time of day. There is no appropriate time that your garbage disposal can break, and as such, having a plumber who is a call away is always welcome.
You can have repairs done to your water and gas pipes when they are leaking, draining slowly, or the taps are rusty. Leaking can be tricky if you are not a professional, as you may not know where the problem is coming from. A professional will help detect the problem area, perform quality repairs, and seal the faulty pipes.
An expert in plumbing can help repair your broken garbage disposal. Fixing issues to do with power, blade, or clogging can put your disposer back to normal function. It may help to call a technician before the problem gets worse.
2) Check Your Power Supply
Sometimes your garbage disposer may stop running not necessarily as a fault of its own but due to power supply. You can first identify if it is well by ensuring the reset button is functioning and using the service wrench that comes with the disposer. If you try turning and it gets harder, then there’s jamming.
3) Deal With Leaks
Leaking is a nuisance and can cause water wastage, foul smell, and dampness that can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mildew in your kitchen. To avoid further damage, fix leaks as soon as you notice them. Dripping sound, a damp cabinet, or a foul smell from under the sink are signs that you are your disposer is leaking.
You can place a bucket under the sink for it to collect the dripping water. You can then unplug the unit, pour water in the sink, and inspect where the leaks are. If the leaking is from the disposal unit and specifically from the top, it may most likely be due to the worn putty. If it is at the bottom, you may have to replace the unit since the cost of repair may be too high. If the leaks are from the sides, you may either have the rubber gasket replaced or use a screwdriver and tighten the connecting metal clamp and the main drain line.
You may not find the technical checkups amusing, and you may have to call in a plumber. However, you can prevent the leaks from occurring in the future after repairing the unit or after buying one. When food particles are going down the drain, ensure there is plenty of running water to push it and avoid it sticking. It may help to be conversant with what you put down the drain and what not to. Also, conducting regular checkups for possible leaks and cracks may help.
4) Fix Humming Sound
You may notice a humming noise coming from the disposer, and it is a sign there is a problem. Mostly the humming will start if there is clogging or jamming in the motor, and it may stop grinding as a result. Food particles or foreign objects can cause this as they stick between the draining hole and the impeller blade.
To remedy this, unplug the disposal unit from the power supply and check for what is jamming it. You can then use tongs to get rid of the objects sticking in the disposer, and it will resume functioning without the sound.
You can also look under the sink and use the wrench to turn the flywheel. It will help clear the particles causing jamming in the unit. If, after turning the power on, the humming continues, then you may need to have it checked by a plumber.
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