What can I do if my garbage disposal is not working?
If your garbage disposal has stopped working, it can really throw your day off, and might cause more significant plumbing headaches if you ignore it. Whether it’s refusing to turn on, clogging up, or making strange noises, these problems can escalate quickly if left unaddressed.
Let’s dive into the most common issues you might run into. Sometimes you’ll be able to fix the disposal yourself without too much trouble.
Garbage Disposal Not Turning On
Usually, this is either a power issue or the unit’s just overwhelmed. Fortunately, this is often one of the easier problems to troubleshoot.
What’s usually behind it:
- No power to the garbage disposal
- An overloaded unit that’s just had enough
Here’s what you can do:
- First, check the obvious. Is it actually plugged in? (Hey, it happens to the best of us!)
- Try the wall switch again, and maybe plug something else into that outlet to make sure it’s working
- Look for the garbage disposal reset button on the bottom of the disposal. Press the reset button.
- If that doesn’t work, check your circuit breaker
If you’ve tried all these steps and still no luck, you should call in the pros to check for deeper electrical or internal issues.
Garbage Disposal Doesn’t Drain
Nothing’s worse than a sink full of standing water. This usually means you’ve got a clog somewhere in the plumbing system. It’s a common problem that needs attention quickly to avoid bigger issues.
What’s usually behind it:
- Blockages building up in your drain or plumbing system
Here’s your game plan:
- Start by clearing out any visible stuff from the sink and disposal
- Break out the plunger; sometimes a good plunge is all you need
- If that doesn’t work, you might need to take apart the drain trap and discharge pipe to check for clogs
- For deeper clogs, try using a plumbing auger (also called a snake)
Once you’ve cleared things out, put everything back together and run some water to make sure it’s draining properly. If water’s still not flowing freely after all that, it might be time to call a plumber.
Garbage Disposal Hums but Doesn’t Turn
Ever hear your disposal making a humming sound but not actually grinding? That’s usually a jammed flywheel preventing the blades from doing their job. If you ignore this one, you could end up with motor damage, so it’s worth addressing right away.
What’s usually behind it:
- Flywheel getting jammed by food debris or something that shouldn’t have gone down there
Here’s what to do:
- First, unplug it or turn off the power at the breaker (safety first!)
- Find that hex hole underneath and use your disposal wrench to wiggle it back and forth
- Got some pliers handy? Use them to fish out whatever’s stuck in there
- Once you’ve cleared the jam, hit that reset button and restore the power
Give it a test run with some water. If the motor seems like it’s struggling, you might need someone to take a closer look.
Garbage Disposal Smoke
If you see smoke or smell something hot, that’s not good. It usually means there’s motor or wiring trouble. This can happen if you’ve overworked the disposal or tried to grind something you shouldn’t have.
What’s usually behind it:
- Motor burnout (ouch!)
- Electrical damage
Here’s what you need to do:
- Cut the power immediately. Unplug it or turn off the breaker
- Take a look for any apparent damage, like burnt wires or melted parts
- If you spot damaged wires or components, you’re probably looking at either repairs or replacement
Replacing the whole unit might be more cost-effective than trying to fix it.
If you’re in the Daytona, FL area, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s got your back. Our team is experienced, well-equipped, and ready to tackle even the trickiest garbage disposal repairs.
While you can diagnose some garbage disposal problems yourself, feel free to call in the experts if you need more help. If you’re in Daytona, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is just a phone call away. We’ll get your kitchen back up and running in no time! And since we’re your punctual plumbers, we’ll get there on time to finish the job.