Tag Archives: garbage disposal repair

How to Fix Your ‘Garbage’ Disposal

how to fix your garbage disposal

Garbage disposals help to ease the stress of tidying up after meals. They let you wash small pieces of food waste into the sink drain without fear that the particles will clog your drains, explains Ridgewood Property Management. Since their introduction in 1927, garbage disposals have become a required appliance in most kitchens.

But the trouble with garbage disposal units is they can stop working without warning. Sometimes you will hear the unit humming even though it is not working. Other times your garbage disposal will leak or simply fail to come on. What do you do when your garbage disposal acts up?

How to fix your garbage disposal

There are several reasons why your garbage disposal would stop working. Below we explain the steps for fixing different kinds of garbage disposal problems.

a plug and socket.

If the unit does not emit a humming sound after you flip the switch, it probably has an electrical fault.

The garbage disposal doesn’t power on

If the unit does not emit a humming sound after you flip the switch, it probably has an electrical fault. There are a few things that can keep the appliance from getting power. To solve this problem, do the following:

  • Check if the appliance is firmly plugged-in.
  • If it is plugged in, push the reset button on the bottom of the appliance. If the unit’s circuit breaker has tripped, this step will reset the garbage disposal.
  • If that doesn’t work, check the main service panel to see if the circuit breaker has tripped. If the breaker has tripped, reset the lever.
  • If this doesn’t work, it could be a wiring problem at the switch, or your garbage disposal is faulty.
  • Disassemble the switch to inspect the connections. If there are any loose connections, secure them or replace the entire switch if the problem is very bad.
  • Turn on the power, and if the unit still doesn’t power on, you may need a new garbage disposal.

The garbage disposal hums but doesn’t grind

If it makes a humming sound when you flip the switch but doesn’t grind, the flywheel of your garbage disposal is jammed. A jammed flywheel will force the circuit breaker to trip or make the appliance’s reset button pop out. To solve the problem:

  • Shut the power supply to the unit by switching it off and shutting off the breaker at the electrical service panel.
  • Take the offset wrench for the disposal unit and insert it into the flywheel hole at the bottom of the appliance.
  • Turn the wrench clockwise to dislodge any food particles impeding the impeller. Do this until you feel the flywheel turn freely.
  • Alternatively, insert a wooden spoon handle or similar wooden object into the disposal through the drain opening. Use this as a lever to free the stuck flywheel.
  • Sometimes, the best option is to remove the object jamming the appliance. Point a flashlight into the disposal to find the object; remove it with a pair of pliers.
  • Press the reset button and run some water into the unit. Turn the unit on and off several times while you are doing this.

Garbage disposal drains slowly

A slow-draining garbage disposal is mostly caused by clogs inside the drainpipes. The simple fix for this problem is to disassemble the drain trap and discharge pipe to get rid of any food waste inside them.

  • Disconnect the discharge pipe from the disposal by removing the bolts.
  • Disconnect and remove the drain trap with the discharge drain pipe.
  • Inspect the disposal for clogs and clean the appliance (ensure the power is turned off).
  • Check the branch drain line for clogs and clear it with an auger.
  • Reassemble the drain trap and couple the discharge tube to the garbage disposal.
  • Run the water and turn on the disposal unit to ensure the water is flowing freely.

To prevent future occurrences of this problem, don’t allow starchy foods – like mashed potatoes or cooked rice – to get into your garbage disposal. At least once a month, clean the appliance by throwing some lemon peel and ice cubes into the unit and grinding them up.

starchy foods

To prevent future occurrences of this problem, don’t allow starchy foods – like mashed potatoes or cooked rice – to get into your garbage disposal.

The garbage disposal is leaking

There are several places where you can have leaks in a garbage disposal. The common leak sites are at the sink flange, the hose that connects the disposal to the dishwasher and the discharge hose for the appliance.

  • A leak at the sink flange, where the disposal connects to the sink, is fairly easy to fix. All that is needed is to disassemble the connections between the sink and the disposal unit before forcing some plumber’s putty into the space between the flange and the sink.
  • If the leak is at the dishwasher connection, you may only need to tighten the hose or, if that doesn’t work, replace the hose completely.
  • Fixing a leak at the discharge drainpipe entails checking the connections to see if they are tight and replacing the gasket seal between the disposal unit and the pipe. 

Finally, not all garbage disposal problems can be solved. Sometimes the only fix is to get a new appliance. If you still can’t figure out the problem after troubleshooting your garbage disposal, it may be time to let a professional kitchen plumber take a look at the disposal unit.

How to Fix a Leaking Garbage Disposal

How to Fix a Leaking Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are one of the most hardworking appliances in the kitchen. These small machines constantly grind away food scraps to ensure they don’t become a problem inside your home’s drain system. They cut down on the work you must do cleaning the kitchen sink.

But hidden away from view as they are – beneath the kitchen sink – it is often hard to see the physical condition of your garbage disposal. For most homeowners, the garbage disposal is fine as long as they can hear the appliance working and there are no clogs in the kitchen sink.

But PG Management warns that apart from getting jammed, other things can happen to garbage disposal. Your garbage disposal can leak, and when that happens, it can cause all sorts of problems in your home. Since it is hidden from view, you may not even know the unit leaks.

A leaking garbage disposal will cause foul odors in your kitchen, damage the area under your sink, encourage mold growth, and force you to do expensive repairs. That’s why you must know how to fix a leaking garbage disposal quickly and safely. This post will show you how.

How to fix a leaky garbage disposal

There are two areas where leaks are most likely to happen in a garbage disposal; the leak could result from damage to the rubber gasket at the top of the appliance or due to issues with the flange which goes through your kitchen sink.

a person washing dishes.

Needed tools and materials:

  • Wrench or pliers
  • Screwdriver
  • New gasket (if this is the problem)
  • Plumber’s putty

Fixing a leaking garbage disposal when the gasket is damaged

If the leak is from the very top rim of the disposal – the point where the rubber seal meets the flange – the leak could be due to a damaged rubber gasket. Rubber gaskets leak for four main reasons:

  • The gasket has aged and becomes brittle. As a result, it no longer provides a watertight seal.
  • There was no water in the garbage disposal for a long time, which allowed the rubber gasket to dry up and crack.
  • In the past, the garbage disposal was removed and reinstalled without replacing the gasket, as is required whenever you remove an old disposal.
  • The gasket was not evenly locked on all three sides during the installation.

To replace the rubber gasket, follow these steps:

  1. Disconnect the drain, unplug the power cord, and if you have a dishwasher, disconnect the dishwasher drain hose from the disposal.
  2. Remove the disposal by twisting the mounting nuts counterclockwise to unscrew them. Use a wrench that is the right size.
  3. To install the new gasket, find a convenient workspace. Position the disposal so the gasket is visible. Peel off the old gasket and replace it with the new one, ensuring it aligns appropriately and sits flat.
  4. To be sure you get the right gasket for your disposal, take your old gasket, along with the model number of the disposal, when going to the store.
  5. Once the gasket is in place, you can replace the disposal. Make sure the gasket sits flat before you lock the disposal into place. Check the mounting groves to ensure they are locked in.
  6. Reconnect the drain and dishwasher drain hose before you plug the power cord.
  7. Test the garbage disposal.

a sink strainer.

Fixing a garbage disposal that’s leaking from the flange

A garbage disposal can also spread from the flange. The flange passes through the kitchen sink to connect to the garbage disposal. It will leak if the flange is not tight enough or well-sealed with the plumber’s putty. To reseal the flange, you have to take down the disposal.

Follow these steps to do that:

  1. Disconnect the drain, unplug the garbage disposal power cord, and remove the dishwasher drain hose if you have a dishwasher.
  2. Unmount the garbage disposal by unscrewing the mounting nuts on the sides; turn them counterclockwise with the right wrench.
  3. Free the flange by loosening the bolts that hold it in place. Check the bottom flange to locate the clip that holds it in place; pop it out with a screwdriver. Pull the flange out from the top of the sink.
  4. Now you can reseal the flange. But before you do that, clean the sink opening to remove any old putty. Roll out a generous amount of plumber’s putty. Apply it to a uniform width by snaking it around the opening.
  5. Push the flange into position and return the clip holding the bottom flange into its place.
  6. Tighten the screws. Remove any excess putty from the sink. Reconnect the drain, dishwasher drain hose, and power cord.
  7. Test the garbage disposal. 

If this doesn’t work or it feels like too much work, please call a professional plumber to help you solve the problem. It could also be that you need a new garbage disposal. If this is true, a good local plumber can help you choose the right garbage disposal for your home.