If you’ve just finished dinner and are ready to wash the dishes, you might be wondering why garbage disposal stops working.
There are a few possible reasons why it might have stopped working, but fortunately, there are also a few ways to fix the problem.
Check out this article to learn more about what might be causing your garbage disposal to malfunction and how you can fix it.
Before checking your disposal, always turn off the kitchen breaker to avoid personal injury or any other accident due to sharp blade movement.
If the breaker is turned off and the disposal still doesn’t work, check to see if there is something caught in the blades. If not, then the motor might be burned out.
Won’t Turn On
If your garbage disposal isn’t working, it might be because of one of the following reasons:
- The power cord is unplugged, or there’s an issue with the power source.
- There’s something blocking the drain.
- The motor is dead.
To fix it, first, make sure the power cord is plugged in and the breaker hasn’t blown any fuses.
Then, check the disposal for blockage and remove anything that’s clogging it. If it still doesn’t work after that, your disposal might need to be replaced.
Water Leak
If there’s a water leak in your garbage disposal, it may be coming from one of the following places: gaskets, drain lines, or cracks. To fix small cracks, use epoxy.
Make sure the pipe connecting the dishwasher to the drain pipe is sealed. If you find major cracks or broken pipes, you’ll need to replace them.
Humming Sound
If you notice that your garbage disposal is making a humming noise when it’s turned on, this is a sign that the blades are not working correctly.
Although the garbage disposal is receiving power, something may be preventing the blades from turning. Possible issues include overheating, clogged disposal, or a broken reset button.
If overheating is the issue, you will need to shut the system off and allow it to cool. One way to simultaneously fix all three issues is to press the reset button.
Strange Odors
If you’re noticing that your food waste is starting to smell bad, don’t wait to take action. The longer you wait, the worse the smell will become.
Luckily, there are some easy home remedies that you can try to clear the food waste and get rid of the bad smell.
Throw a few citrus peels down the disposal, pour bleach or vinegar down the drain, or sharpen the blades with ice cubes.
Inefficient Draining
If your garbage disposal isn’t working, it might be because there’s a blockage in your drain. Food waste can clog up your disposal and cause the blades to stop working and water to bubble in the sink.
These clogs usually happen in the drain trap of an S or P-shaped pipe. To fix the problem, start by taking the drain trap off of the disposal unit.
Catch any excess water in a small bucket. Clean the drain trap with a cable or an auger to get rid of any food waste.
You might also want to sharpen the grinder blades so they will chop food more effectively and stop future clogs.
Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation Services
If you’re having trouble with your garbage disposal, it’s time to call in the experts. The team of Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation Services specialists is available to help you get your disposal up and running again.
In addition to repair and installation services, It also offers a range of other plumbing services, including water softener replacement, water heater repair, gas line installation, and sump pump repair.
Give me a call today to speak with a trained technician.
FAQs about Why Garbage Disposal Stops Working?
How do I reset a garbage disposal?
Once the power is shut off to your garbage disposal, go ahead and locate the reset button on the bottom of it.
To reset it, push the button in until you hear or feel a click. The next thing you’ll want to do is turn the power back on to your garbage disposal and give it a try to see if it’s working again.
How do I get my garbage disposal to spin again?
First, use the wrench to manually turn the motor shaft on the disposal unit counterclockwise, and then clockwise until the obstruction is dislodged and the motor shaft spins freely.
Be sure to support the disposal unit as you turn the wrench. A little force is okay, but you don’t want to damage the unit.
How Long Do Garbage Disposals Last?
If you’re unsure about when you should replace your garbage disposal, a good rule of thumb is to do so every ten years. Most units will last for the better part of a decade before needing to be replaced.
You’ll know that your unit needs replacing when it starts to clog more frequently than normal.