Garbage disposals are able to grind a lot of things, but they can't do everything. Fatty foods like bacon grease can solidify into clogs in the disposal and plumbing. Fibrous foods like potato peels, corn husks, and asparagus can wrap around blades and jam them.
When something seems wrong, start by unplugging the disposal. Then, find a hex shaped opening on the bottom of the lower hopper and fit a wrench into it to turn manually.
Clogs
The garbage disposal can be great for reducing the amount of waste you send to landfills, but only if it’s used properly. Bones, shells, coffee grounds, and fibrous foods like artichokes, banana peels, asparagus, and corn husks are all known to cause clogs in garbage disposals. Fats and grease also should not be put down the drain; they liquefy and eventually harden, causing clogs that are very difficult to remove.
To avoid a disposal clog, run it with water after each use to flush out the drain system. And always keep problematic scraps (like chicken bones, eggshells, and potato skins) out of the disposal, as well as any other foods that can be easily disposed of in the garbage can (like wet cat or dog food). If a clog does occur, it’s important to turn off the unit before attempting to unjam it. Many units have a hex hole at the bottom of the lower hopper chamber that can be used to manually move the impeller blades.
Leaks
Leaking from a garbage disposal is a common issue that can be difficult to diagnose. It could be coming from the flange that connects to your sink drain, or it may be a result of an old plumber’s putty that has started to crack. Luckily, tightening or replacing the flange is usually enough to fix this problem.
If your leak is coming from the bottom of the disposal, it typically means that there is a cracked internal seal around the reset button or motor. In this case, you will need to either replace the seal or the entire disposal.
In addition, proper disposal use can help prevent future leaks. Make sure to grind only soft foods and never place bones, pits, or large chunks of hard food inside. Also, running cold water down the sink drain after using the disposal is a good idea to keep the flange and gasket from wearing down. If these steps don’t work, you will likely need to call a professional.
Motor Issues
If a disposal makes a humming noise but doesn’t do anything, it’s likely that the flywheel within the motor is jammed. Most disposals have a recessed turning hole
(or hex-head screw) at the bottom of the unit where you can stick a wrench to manually turn the motor and free up the obstruction. Before attempting this, turn off the power to the disposal and unplug it. Use a wrench that came with your disposal or a 1/4-inch allen wrench to rotate the motor and grinding plate counterclockwise and clockwise to dislodge the jam.
Other common disposal issues include a broken reset button, split or cracked body, and leaking drain lines. While a leaky disposal isn’t necessarily an emergency, it will eventually lead to water damage and may shorten the life of the unit. Leaking drain lines can be easily fixed by a plumber but the other items are a little trickier.
Electrical Issues
Garbage disposals work well when small, soft items are put into them, but they can't handle everything — and sometimes a hard item like a bone or a wedding ring slips past the blades and gets stuck. When this happens, a homeowner can often clear the problem with a pair of pliers or the hand-held tool that comes with the disposal.
If the disposal doesn't come on when a wall switch is activated, it may not be receiving electricity because of a dead start switch. A professional plumber in Melbourne can help determine where that switch is clogged and tighten the connections.
Alternatively, a plumber can use an auger to clean the drain line and trap of a disposal that isn't turning on. This helps prevent clogs and can make the disposal operational again. In some cases, the unit's motor might be overheating or need a replacement part. A professional can assess the situation and install a new motor as needed.
