Is the Garbage Disposal Broken?
When cleaning the kitchen, garbage disposal is one of the most important tools available. It is a convenient and sanitary way to get rid of food waste by grinding it down to small pieces and allowing it to be safely flushed down the kitchen drain. It works by spinning food debris inside a grinding chamber with impellers and shredder rings that grind down the food as it spins in the chamber.
Garbage disposals are meant to be sturdy equipment built to handle food waste daily, but what happens when it stops working correctly? Here are a few ways to tell that it’s time to consider garbage disposal repair or replace it entirely.
It Doesn’t Sound Right
Most mechanical equipment emits a noise resulting from its moving parts, and garbage disposals aren’t an exception. Homeowners can usually tell when their machines aren’t working correctly anymore because the typical garbage disposal sound transforms into a different sound, ranging from rattling to loud buzzing, humming, or clanging noise when turned on.
These sounds could indicate a problem related to the motor, clogged garbage disposal, or a jam in the grinding mechanism. Screeching noises are also possible in this scenario and may indicate that a component is out of place or something is broken inside, especially if metal can be heard.
Underperforming
Garbage disposals are meant to grind up food waste quickly, so if a particular machine is taking its sweet time to perform the same task that it used to be able to do in less time, then its blades may have become dull and inefficient. It may be time to consider repairing or replacing the garbage disposal.
Another indication that a garbage disposal repair or replacement may be on the horizon is how often the garbage disposal reset button has been used to get it working again. The reset button is there to help the disposal work through kinks in its operation - things like an overloaded chamber, overheating when it’s been allowed to run too long, or if there is a power surge that cuts the power off. Often, the reset button doesn’t get touched, so if homeowners find they are resetting their disposal more often than once or twice over a few months, it’s high time to get it looked at.
Funky Smelling
While it may be safe to assume that funky garbage disposal smells are normal because it deals with food waste, any offensive odors that linger and don't seem to go away may indicate a more serious or persistent problem. Foul smells from the disposal may be due to rotting food, mold, or mildew that has gotten trapped or clogged in the chamber.
Homeowners need to call a professional plumber to fix the problem as soon as possible once they notice the signs their garbage disposal is experiencing problems. Homeowners can also help prevent issues with their disposal by avoiding disposing of certain food waste in the disposal and running cold water while using it.
About Twin Belle Plumbing, Heating, Air & Water Treatment
Twin Belle Plumbing, Heating, Air & Water Treatment has over two decades of experience serving Westchester and the surrounding communities. They provide straightforward pricing, same-day service, and fast response. Call them today for kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal services in Westchester, NY.
