3 Issues That Your Garbage Disposal Can Face
Posted on: 4 October 2021
A garbage disposal can be a great appliance to have. It allows you to quickly deal with food scraps without having to use a strainer in your drain. It can keep your drain from getting clogged up with food particles. However, just like with any other appliance, it can eventually break down, which is why it is essential to know how to fix common issues with your garbage disposal.
Issue #1: Clogs
A garbage disposal is designed for grinding up food, and it can do so pretty quickly. However, sometimes, food ends up getting stuck and can end up clogging your drain. This usually happens when you grind up too much food waste all at once, and food gets clogged in the P-trap. Clogs can also occur as food waste builds up in your drain line.
When you have a garbage disposal, you need to approach clogs a little differently. You will need to take the P-trap under the disposal apart under the disposal and clear out the food trapped there. From the P-trap, you can then use a plumbing snake to scrape away built-up debris further down the line. You will want to ensure that the disposal is turned off as you clean out the clog.
You can prevent future clogs by not grinding up too much food all at once and following all your disposal operating instructions.
Issue #2: Leaks
Your garbage disposal should have a tight seal. If you notice that water is leaking out of your disposal, you will want to bring in an expert to deal with the situation right away.
There are a few different reasons why your garbage disposal may be leaking: the drainage hose may be damaged, the plumbing connection may be weak and need to be repaired, or the outer casing of the unit may have been damaged due to something falling into the unit and causing damage. If your disposal is over ten years old, it may just need to be replaced.
Issue #3: Jams
A jam is different than a clog. When your disposal jams up, the motor will make a loud humming noise, but it is not going to be capable of grinding up what is inside of it.
With a jam, usually, there is an issue with the circuit breaker within the unit that is preventing the unit from working correctly. Do not put your hands down the drain to fit it.
You will want to bring in a professional to fix the jam and turn off the power to the unit until they can come out and fix it.
If you find yourself facing an issue with your garbage disposal, you can try to fix it yourself, or you can call in a garbage disposal repair specialist to fix the issue. Never put your hand inside of the disposal, and always exercise caution when fixing it.
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