Non-Working Garbage Disposal

Perhaps you flip the switch for your garbage disposal and it does nothing. It doesn’t hum or make a single sound. Typically, this issue indicates the garbage disposal isn’t receiving power. When this happens, the electrical circuit the unit is connected to may be off. Conversely, the disposal’s overload circuit may have shut it down because it overheated.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

One of the most common issues with garbage disposals is clogs. When a clog happens, the disposal water doesn’t drain. In fact, it might even come back up through the sink drain. This problem is actually associated with the disposal drain rather than the appliance itself.

To avoid clogging the disposal in the future, refrain from putting fibrous foods such as asparagus, celery, and corn husks down the drain because their fibers wind around the blades. Egg shell membranes can do the same. Also avoid coffee grounds because they just accumulate in the disposal drain. And rice and pasta can swell up and cause clogs, while potato peels create a starchy mess that doesn’t drain.

Humming Garbage Disposal

When you turn the garbage disposal on, you might hear a humming noise. The noise itself isn’t a problem because garbage disposals aren’t quiet appliances. Rather, the issue is that the disposal’s flywheel is jammed. It doesn’t turn, so the impellers won’t grind up food. What’s more, the motor is working to turn the flywheel, which can cause it to overheat and burn out.

Leaking Garbage Disposal

Leaky disposal issues usually lie with connections to the unit. For example, a common area to see leaks is at the sink flange where the mouth of the garbage disposal connects to the sink. This happens because the vibration from operating the unit loosen the mounting ring over time.

The other two common areas for leaks are where the disposal connects to the disposal drain and where it connects to the dishwasher.