Garbage disposals are a fixture in most kitchens. They’re convenient, easy to use, and make quick work of food scraps and other kitchen waste.
But what happens when your garbage disposal stops working?
You’ve probably experienced the frustration of trying to turn on your garbage disposal only to hear nothing but an empty hum—and maybe a few scary rattles or clunks as you try to spin it.
If this sounds all too familiar, don’t worry! You can fix the problem yourself with the right information.
This article will walk you through some of the reasons why garbage disposal may not be working, how to diagnose the issue with your garbage disposal, and when to call a professional garbage disposal maintenance service provider like Agent Rooter.
Why is Garbage Disposal Not Working?
Garbage disposals are a fairly common household appliance we all take for granted. But when they don’t work, it can be a real nightmare.
Here are some reasons your garbage disposal might not be working and how to fix garbage disposal:
Jammed Garbage Disposal
If you put something in your garbage disposal that is too big (like a piece of glass or metal), it can get stuck and prevent the blades from spinning freely.
To fix this problem, turn off the power to the disposal at the breaker switch and use a screwdriver or pliers to remove the splash guard from around the sink drain opening. Then, use tongs or pliers to remove whatever is blocking your disposal’s blades from spinning freely.
Tripped Garbage Disposal
The easiest way to tell if this has happened is by checking for water coming out of your sink drain when you turn on your faucet. This indicates that power is flowing through your garbage disposal but not being used by it because of some kind of mechanical problem (like a jammed blade).
If this happens after using your disposal, then you likely have an electrical issue that needs a professional garbage disposal repair service provider’s attention–don’t try to fix this on your own.
Clogged Drain Line
A clogged drain pipe might also prevent garbage disposal from operating properly. Food waste and other debris can build in the drain line and clog it over time. Water will not be able to flow through the disposal if the drain line becomes clogged, leading it to malfunction.
To repair a clogged drain line, turn off the disposal first. Then, using a plunger, try to dislodge the blockage. Pump the plunger up and down forcefully over the drain. This can help in removing the clog and cleaning the drain pipe.
If the plunger doesn’t really work, the drain trap may need to be removed and cleaned. You need to remove the drain trap by loosening the bolts that keep it in place beneath the sink. Lastly, clean the trap with a wire brush after removing it. Or, you can also search for “garbage disposal replacement near me” and let the professionals do the best for you.
Worn Out Garbage Disposal
If you notice that your garbage disposal installation in Burbank isn’t working as well as it used to, or if it seems like something is preventing you from using it at all, there may be issues with the actual mechanism itself.
If this is the case for you, call a reputable garbage disposal replacement service company like Agent Rooter to assess whether or not parts need replacing or if there are more serious problems at play here (such as water leaking into air vents). They’ll know how best to proceed based on what they find during their inspection!
Disposal Hums But Does Not Grind
If your disposal hums but does not grind, it could mean one of two things: either your disposal is clogged, or there isn’t enough water in the sink for it to complete its cycle.
If you’ve tried plunging it and nothing comes out, then there’s probably something stuck.
If you’re using a sink stopper or something else to keep water in the sink so that it can drain properly, then make sure there’s enough water below where you’re trying to work on the disposal so that there’s enough pressure for it to turn on properly.
Disposal is leaking
If you notice water leaking from under the sink or near your garbage disposal, this could mean that the dishwasher hose has become disconnected or that the garbage disposal drain line is clogged with food particles.
Make sure everything is connected properly, then try plunging it manually to clear out any blockages.
The disposal makes a loud noise
This can be caused by loose parts inside your garbage disposal unit itself or by a buildup of grime around its motor housing, causing it to vibrate excessively during operation. This happens when you run water while using the garbage disposal.
To fix this issue, simply remove all parts from underneath and clean them thoroughly before reattaching them.
Disposal Drains Slowly
You may have observed that when you run your garbage disposal, it empties slowly, and you may be wondering why. There are three major causes for this:
The blades are dull for the first reason. If you’ve been using your disposal for a long time without properly cleaning it or changing the blades, they may be dull and require sharpening.
The second cause is that the pump has stopped working. If you discover that your garbage disposal is not operating at all, this might be the cause—it’s time to bring in a professional garbage disposal installation services company to diagnose the problem.
The third cause is that something is clogging the drain. This might be anything from food crumbs to grease accumulation or even a foreign object that is preventing water from flowing into your washbasin.
When this happens, the water just sits there and doesn’t flow through the pipes as it should. The easiest way to check for this problem is to take a flashlight and look down your sink drain. If you see something that shouldn’t be there, remove it and try again.
If the disposal still drains slowly, it could be due to a clog or other problem. But you may also need to call a professional garbage disposal repair Burbank company if your garbage disposal not working at all.
8 Quick Tips on How to Clean Garbage Disposal
Learning how to clean garbage disposal is essential to keeping them in good working order. Food waste and other debris can accumulate within the disposal over time, generating unpleasant odors and perhaps leading to blockages or other problems. Here are some easy garbage disposal maintenance tips to efficiently clean your garbage disposal:
- Use cold water whenever possible
- Avoid putting food in there if possible
- Don’t overload the disposal with too much food at once
- Don’t put anything other than food down the drain (especially metal items like silverware)
- Don’t put anything down the drain that is larger than 1/2 inch (like coins or jewelry)
- Clean out any leftover garbage from inside the unit every 6 months or so (or whenever it starts getting smelly)
- Run ice cubes through regularly to keep things moving smoothly in there (but don’t overdo it!)
- If all else fails, search “garbage disposal repair service near me” and call a professional plumber in Burbank! They’ll be able to diagnose any problems and get things cleaned up for good garbage disposal.
Call For Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation Services Provider
There’s always the possibility that your garbage disposal in Burbank, CA, will stop operating. Maybe it was blocked by a piece of food that got stuck in the blades and couldn’t be ground up. Perhaps it’s simply old and needs to be replaced. Or Maybe it’s simply broken and won’t turn at all.
Whatever the problem is, if you’ve tried everything on this list of tips to fix your garbage disposal and it still isn’t working, it’s probably time to call a professional Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation Services Provider like Agent Rooter.
We’re your one-stop shop for all things garbage disposal—from installation to repair to maintenance and everything in between. Our technicians are trained to use only the highest-quality parts and materials, so you know your garbage disposal will last for years to come.
We’re here for you 24/7, 365 days a year. We’re also available for emergency service calls 24/7 and can even work around your schedule—we’ll come out on weekends or late at night if necessary!
You may be thinking that this is going to cost you an arm and a leg, but nothing could be further from the facts! Our expert technicians will make sure that your garbage disposal works as well as it did when you first bought it.
Our goal is simple: we want every client to feel like they’re getting a great deal on high-quality service at an affordable price.
We’ll take care of everything from locating the problem to installing a new unit so that you can concentrate on the things that matter most in life: like raising happy children or making sure your houseplants are well-watered.
Call us today at 866-712-4368 to discuss your garbage disposal problem and get an estimate for installation/repair services in Burbank.