A smoothly functioning garbage disposal is critical to keeping a clean kitchen. It is indispensable since it reduces kitchen odors, gets rid of waste, and saves crucial time. However, garbage disposals are not invincible, and a breakdown can be significantly more irritating than for other appliances.
A malfunctioning garbage disposal can
lead to unpleasant odor, clogs in the kitchen, and mess. You can avoid such
conditions and keep your house clean if you recognize the warning signs
well in advance.
We have put together the seven most
common garbage disposal problems that you may encounter:
1. Leaks
One of the most common garbage
disposal problems is that of consistent leaks. Most of the time, it occurs due
to disturbances in the top flange of the disposal. If you are trying to fix
this problem yourself, shut down your garbage disposal.
2. Not Draining
If your garbage disposal is draining
slowly or has stopped, it could indicate a clog in the disposal unit or pipe.
To unclog the unit, you can pour down hot water with baking soda and
vinegar.
3. Jams
Jammed garbage disposal systems make
a humming sound and cause slow drains or backups in the sink. This problem
occurs when things like eggshells, fruit pits, bones, fats, oils prevent
garbage disposal blades from turning. Additionally, garbage disposal blades can
also become ineffective if you don't clean them daily.
4. Unpleasant odor
Over time, food particles accumulate
in your disposal unit and rot, emitting pungent smells and making your
appliance stinky. These odors might not indicate any problem with your garbage
disposal but regularly need good cleaning and maintenance.
5. Smoke
If you notice smoke coming from your
garbage disposal, it's a sign the motor inside has failed. The damage occurs
when you put any complex object or food that stresses it. Due to this, the
engine works overtime, causing overheating or failure of the motor. There can
also be a short circuit in your garbage disposal, causing the same issue.
6. Noises
A garbage disposal that makes unusual
sounds often does have a problem. If you hear the sound of grinding metal, it
happens when something gets stuck in the blades or a part of the garbage
disposal is missing.
7. Stops working
When your garbage disposal stops
working, it can be hard to figure out why. You should first confirm that the
plug is not loose or unplugged. If that's fine, check the circuit breaker of
your home.
Tips for the proper use and care of
your garbage disposal:
- After using the garbage
disposal, pour a small amount of soap and drain with cold water. Doing
this will combat bad smells and keep your disposal clean.
- Don't use heavy chemicals to
unclog the drain; they can damage your disposal.
- Don't put large animal
bones, oils, fats, plastic, glass, and metal objects. Also, avoid grinding
foods such as rice and spaghetti since they can clog the disposal.
- If your garbage disposal
begins to smell, grind citrus fruits like lemon or orange peels to freshen
them naturally.
- To protect the heavy parts
and components, you can purchase a home warranty plan. Various home warranty companies cover garbage disposal and other major home
systems and appliances. If it breaks down, you can place a service
request, and a technician will be at your place to fix it. You would just
pay a service call fee ranging from $50-$125. You can avoid unnecessary
repair costs and keep your unit running smoothly with a home warranty.
Conclusion:
Problematic garbage disposal is
hardly any use to anyone and can stink up your kitchen, keep you from doing
dishes, and even destroy your sink. If you experience any of the problems mentioned above, turn off the system until a service professional comes.
Garbage disposals can be durable, provided they are taken care of
properly.
