Derrick Jensen
Troubleshooting Tips For A Garbage Disposal That Has Stopped Working
The mass majority of consumers are at least familiar with the basics of garbage disposals and their functions. These devices utilize an internal motor to turn a few blades and churn up your household waste.
Due to the functionality and design of the garbage disposal, most owners will experience problems from time to time, with the most common being a clogged garbage disposal. A malfunctioned garbage disposal can cause quite a calamity and this will leave you scratching your head for many hours. This article explain what to do when your Garbage Disposal stop working.
Depending on the situation at hand and the severity of the problem, you may be able to rectify the problem on your own. Below, you will discover a breakdown of the most common problems associated with fixing a disposals.
The Most Common Problems
Much like automobiles, computers and other appliances, garbage disposals can experience a wide range of problems. Unfortunately, these problems will be very diverse and this can often make it difficult to pinpoint the exact problem that you’re facing. Nonetheless, there are a few problems that are more common than others.
The Disposal Will Not Turn On
If your disposal has stopped working out of nowhere, it is highly likely that you’re experiencing an electrical problem. There are two quick things to check. First, you should make sure the disposal’s power cord is plugged into the outlet.
Secondly, you will need to determine whether or not the circuit has been tripped. Find your home’s breaker box and locate the appropriate breaker. Switch it on and back off. Is the disposer working now? If neither of these solutions fix the problem, you may be dealing with a motor problem.
The Garbage Disposal Is Leaking
A leaky garbage disposal will undeniably be a major problem for several reasons. First and foremost, you will not be able to use the appliance until the problem is fixed. Secondly, a leaky disposal will create a mess. However, there is some good news.
This is a problem that is easily rectifiable. In fact, you might be able to fix the problem quickly by tightening a few bolts. In order to determine where the leak is coming from, you will want to grab a flashlight and carefully inspect the disposal’s connections.
Check the bolts and tighten them as much as possible. If you’re lucky, this will fix the problem immediately. However, you may need to take this one step further by investing in some plumber’s putty. This type of putty is specifically designed for pipes. It’ll stop the leak for a temporary period.
Finally, you’ll want to consider replacing the unit. Check to see whether or not the unit’s warranty is still valid. If it is not, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for a replacement.
The Garbage Disposal Has Overheated
While many people do not know it, garbage disposals can indeed overheat. If the unit is receiving power, but the disposal does not emit any type of audible noise, it is almost certain your unit has overheated. This will result in the disposal’s safety mechanism kicking in and automatically causing the unit to switch off.
Carefully inspect your unit and look for the reset button. Find it and press it. This may fix the problem. If it does not, you will want to try checking your home’s breaker box. Flip the associated breaker and try the disposal again.
The Disposal Is Making A Noise, But The Blades Do Not Turn
Has your disposal ceased to work, but it is still producing an audible noise? If so, it is highly likely that the motor is still working as intended. In all probability, something has caused your disposal to become clogged. This is truly the most common type of problem that consumers can face.
In order to fix the problem, you will need to proceed with precaution. Be very careful and never stick your hand inside of the disposal’s opening. If you do, you will risk getting your fingers sliced open by the blades.
First, try turning on the faucet’s cold water. Let it run for a short duration, while simultaneously switching the power on and off. Depending on the severity of the problem, this may actually dislodge the debris and restore the disposal to normal. Otherwise, you will need to try and dislodge the clog manually. Use a wrench of a broom handle.
The Garbage Disposal Is Completely Dead
Unfortunately, garbage disposals are not designed to last forever. If you’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to work, the problem might be irreparable. In this type of situation, you can either contact a professional plumber and allow them to inspect the unit or you can purchase a replacement. Again, check your warranty! You might be able to get a replacement, without paying for anything.
How to Fix a Garbage Disposal – Video Tips
Overall
Your home’s garbage disposal is a valuable asset. While all disposals are vulnerable to problems, you may be able to avoid many by using your unit with caution. Avoid stuffing too much into the disposal at once. Also, be sure to only stick acceptable items in your disposer. This will help you avoid clogs, while also prolonging the lifespan of your unit!
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