Is it a good idea to fix your clogged garbage disposal yourself or should you call a professional? Read on to find out when to call a plumber.
Is your garbage disposal acting up?
Fixing a clogged garbage disposal could be as simple as removing a piece of food debris, or as complex as replacing blown-out motor.
But how do you tell the difference between an easy five-minute fix to something that requires professional help? You might be inclined to try and fix the blockage yourself first, however, if the root of the problem is not diagnosed properly you could end up with further damage and a costly bill.
Here, we’ve put together a list of common problems to help you safely identify the severity of the blockage and what to do next.
Causes and Fixes for a Clogged Garbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Draining Slowly
Normally, garbage disposals should grind down food within seconds.
If the unit has been running for a while but you’re still seeing slow movement, then the grinding ring may no longer be sharp. Although disposal units can last up to 12 years, daily use will eventually dull the metal ring inside the unit.
The grinding ring is often referred to as “blades”.
You might have been led to believe that these “blades” can be sharpened, but unfortunately this is false. The grinding ring is made up of teeth rather blades. Although the teeth cannot be sharpened, they can be cleaned.
Food and gunk tend to build-up on the grinding rings over time and can slow drainage. Putting a handful of salt and ice cubes into the grinder while running cold water is a great way to give them a thorough cleanse. The rings might not be sharper, but they’ll be more efficient after a refresh.
What if you have no ice cubes on hand? Another excellent method is filling the sink with hot soapy water and allowing it to drain through the sink.
Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal will reduce the likelihood of clogging and prolong the lifespan.
If you’ve got an extremely old garbage disposal, then it could be time for an upgrade.
Humming Noises from the Garbage Disposal
A constant humming noise suggests that something has been trapped in the disposal unit.
Common culprits range from tough bones and stringy foods caught under the grinding ring, to silverware that’s accidentally been dropped in.
Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
First, unplug the power supply to the disposal unit. Then reach inside the drain with tongs to remove any large items that have become lodged inside.
If you don’t find anything, manually check the motor.
Taking an Allen wrench, insert it into the bottom of the unit (there should be a small slot in the middle). Then rotate the wrench back and forth to try and dislodge anything that’s been trapped inside.
If you have trouble moving the wrench, do not try to force it any further to avoid damage.
Keep in mind that depending on the make and model of your unit, it might not be possible to manually check the motor from the outside.
Contact a professional plumber as soon as possible.
Bad Smells from the Garbage Disposal
Sometimes problems might not be visible. Rotten odors that linger could be a sign that the garbage disposal is clogged.
Grease from oily foods tend to stick and build up in the drain causing further blockages and trapping food.
Your first instinct might be to use a chemical drain cleaner. Chemical drain cleaners are extremely corrosive, and should be avoided to prevent damaging the unit’s metal and plastic parts.
This might work in the short term, but eventually, you could see yourself replacing your disposal unit earlier than expected.
A simple solution of baking soda and vinegar is a gentle yet effective alternative.
Try mixing a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda together, then pour it down the drain. Wait for 5-10 minutes to allow the fizzing to settle before flushing with hot water.
If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, then a good old plunger will work just fine. It’s a bit more hands on and definitely not for the squeamish.
Fill the sink with a couple inches of water, then place a plunger over the drain and plunge several times.
Repeating these methods two to three times should help to clear away any minor blockages.
Consider checking out our article for more drain cleaning recipes (no special equipment needed, just general household items!).
If the smell persists, then it’s likely the problem is further down the drain and will require expert help.
No Noise Coming from the Garbage Disposal
Before jumping to any conclusions, check to see if the power has been turned on and/or whether the fuse has blown out.
If you find that the garbage disposal is still not working, try to reset it by finding the reset button. You can normally find this on the bottom of the unit, but if in doubt, refer to the instruction manual that came with your garbage disposal.
Make sure you remove any foreign objects stuck in the drain before resetting the garbage disposal.
Quite often, foreign objects that are trapped in the garbage disposal will cause the motor to overheat and shut down. Resetting the motor should bring the garbage disposal back to life.
If there’s still no response, then the motor might be dead, meaning you will need to replace the entire unit.
You Need a Professional to Fix a Clogged Garbage Disposal
When it comes to clogged garbage disposals, it’s common to end up ignoring the issue until it escalates. With so many other things to think about, it’s definitely the last thing on anyone’s mind.
If you need some friendly expert advice about your clogged garbage disposal, contact us today at (402) 731-2727 for a quick consultation.