When Your Garbage Disposal Calls It Quits
Hey there! Is your kitchen sink making weird noises? Or maybe you’ve got that lovely standing water situation going on? Don’t worry – I’ve been fixing garbage disposals for years at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and I’m here to walk you through this kitchen catastrophe step by step.
Your garbage disposal might be hiding under your sink, but when it stops working, it certainly makes its presence known! Whether it’s completely silent when you flip the switch, making an alarming humming sound, or leaking mysterious liquids onto your cabinet floor – I’ve seen it all, and I’m here to help you figure out what’s going on.
What’s Actually Happening Down There?
Before we dive in with tools and troubleshooting, let’s talk about what might be happening with your disposal. After fixing thousands of these units, I can tell you the most common issues are pretty straightforward:
- The Silent Treatment: You flip the switch and… nothing. No sound, no movement, just disappointing silence. This usually points to a power issue or a completely burnt-out motor.
- The Hummer: When your disposal hums but doesn’t actually grind anything, something’s likely stuck in there. The motor’s trying its best, but something’s jamming the works!
- The Leaker: Finding puddles under your sink? This typically means you’ve got a worn seal, a failed gasket, or in worst cases, a crack in the disposal body itself. None of these problems fix themselves, unfortunately.
- The Slow Drain: When water backs up into your sink instead of disappearing down the drain, you’re dealing with a clog – either in the disposal itself or somewhere further down the drainage pipe.
- The Alarming Noise Machine: Grinding, clanking, or rattling sounds mean something’s in there that shouldn’t be – like a bottle cap, small utensil, or that missing earring you’ve been looking for (yes, we’ve found those!).
I’ve seen homeowners panic over these issues, but honestly, sometimes the fix is super simple. Other times… well, let’s just say it might be time to make friends with your local plumber (that’s us!).
Let’s Try Some DIY Magic First
Before you pick up the phone and call for backup, there are a few troubleshooting steps that might save you time and money. I always recommend trying these first:
1. The Power Check
I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often the issue is simply that the disposal got unplugged under the sink. Maybe during cleaning or when grabbing something from the cabinet? Check that it’s plugged in securely – this fixes more disposals than I care to admit!
2. The Magic Reset Button
Most disposal units have a little red reset button on the bottom. It’s like the disposal’s version of “turn it off and back on again.” If the unit overheated or overloaded, this button might have popped out. Push it back in, and you might be back in business.
3. The Manual Turn
If your disposal is humming but not grinding, something’s probably jammed the blades. With the power OFF (super important!), look for a hexagonal hole at the bottom center of the disposal. Insert an Allen wrench and manually rotate it back and forth a few times. This often breaks up whatever was causing the jam.
4. The Rescue Mission
Still stuck? With the disposal completely unplugged (seriously, don’t skip this step), use tongs or pliers to reach inside and remove any visible obstructions. Common culprits include bones, avocado pits, bottle caps, or fibrous foods like celery that can wrap around the blades. Never, ever put your hand in there, even if it’s unplugged!
5. The Hot Flush
For slow drains or funky smells, try the hot water trick. Boil a pot of water, add a squirt of dish soap, and slowly pour it down the drain. The hot, soapy water helps dissolve grease buildup that might be causing the slowdown.
I’ve seen these simple fixes work magic on countless garbage disposals. But if you’ve gone through this checklist and your disposal is still giving you trouble, it might be time to call in the cavalry.
When to Wave the White Flag and Call a Pro
Listen, there’s no shame in needing professional help. Garbage disposals might seem simple, but they’re actually complex little machines with electrical components, motors, and precision parts. Here’s when you should definitely pick up the phone:
- Your disposal keeps tripping the circuit breaker every time you turn it on (this is an electrical issue that could be dangerous)
- Water is actively leaking from the body of the disposal or the connection points
- You’ve reset the unit multiple times, but it keeps shutting off
- You hear grinding metal sounds that suggest something’s broken inside
- There’s a burning smell or electrical popping sounds (never good!)
- Your disposal is showing its age (10+ years) and giving you constant trouble
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we have a saying: Dependable + Trustworthy = DEPENDAWORTHY! Cheesy? Maybe a little. But it means we’ll get to the bottom of your disposal issues without the runaround.
What Happens When We Come to the Rescue
When you call us for help with your garbage disposal, we don’t just show up, flip a switch, and hand you a bill. We bring decades of experience and a methodical approach to fixing your kitchen problems:
The Detective Work
First, we’ll ask about what’s happening, how long it’s been going on, and if anything unusual happened before the trouble started. Maybe you dropped something down there accidentally? Or perhaps it started making noise after grinding up something particularly tough? These clues help us narrow down the issue.
The Physical Exam
Next, we’ll inspect everything – the power connections, the disposal unit itself, the drain lines, and even the switch. Sometimes what seems like a disposal problem is actually an electrical issue or a downstream plumbing problem.
The Leak Investigation
If you’re dealing with water under your sink, we’ll check all the seals and connections. Sometimes it’s as simple as tightening a loose fitting. Other times, we might find the disposal body has developed a crack with age – which unfortunately means replacement time.
The Obstruction Removal
If something’s jammed inside, we have specialized tools to remove it safely without damaging the unit. We’ll also check if the jam caused any damage to the grinding components while it was in there.
The Downstream Check
Sometimes your disposal works fine, but the water backs up because there’s a clog further down the drain line. We’ll test the entire drainage system to make sure everything flows smoothly.
The Fix (or Replace) Decision
If your disposal can be repaired, we’ll do that on the spot. But if the motor’s burnt out or there’s significant damage to the unit, we’ll walk you through your replacement options. We’ll help you choose the right size and power for your household needs – no upselling to units you don’t need.
The Final Test
Before we consider the job done, we run water through the system, test the disposal operation, and check for leaks, vibration, and unusual noises. We want you completely satisfied before we leave.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
How long should my garbage disposal last?
Most quality disposals will give you 8-12 years of service. If yours is approaching this age range and giving you trouble, replacement might actually save you money compared to repeated repairs.
Is it OK to use those cleaning pods for garbage disposals?
Yes! Those citrus-scented pods can help eliminate odors and break down light grease buildup. Just don’t rely on them to fix mechanical problems.
What should I never put down my disposal?
Avoid bones, fruit pits, grease/oil, fibrous vegetables like celery, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, and definitely anything non-food like metal, plastic, or glass. These are the top causes of disposal jams and damage.
Should I run my disposal with hot or cold water?
Always use cold water! Hot water can melt fats that might later resolidify further down your pipes. Cold water helps solidify grease so it gets chopped up and flushed away.
Getting Your Kitchen Back to Normal
A broken garbage disposal disrupts your whole kitchen routine. Suddenly you’re dealing with standing water, unpleasant smells, and the frustration of a sink that won’t drain properly. Don’t let it linger – try our DIY tips, and if those don’t work, give us a call.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we pride ourselves on fixing things right the first time. No guesswork, no unnecessary parts, and no surprises on your bill.
Remember our promise: Fixed right or you don’t pay. That’s how confident we are in our garbage disposal repairs.
Dependable + Trustworthy = DEPENDAWORTHY! Give us a call today, and let’s get your kitchen functioning properly again.
