The convenience of garbage disposals versus the hassle of malfunctioning units

Garbage disposals are among the most helpful appliances found within a contemporary kitchen. They assist people who cook at home by assisting them in managing the food waste that results from meal preparation. As well as helping to control odors emanating from the kitchen, and maintaining the flow of water in the sink. Similar to all equipment used daily, however, a garbage disposal will eventually experience problems.

If your unit stops functioning unexpectedly; produces unusual noise; begins to drip; or struggles to grind food items appropriately, it could be time to contact a professional to repair your unit. Depending on the severity of the situation, a simple repair may be able to fix your garbage disposal. Alternatively, it could be necessary to purchase a new unit.

Ac plumbing construction assists residents throughout San Diego in diagnosing, repairing, and replacing garbage disposals quickly and safely. Whether you’ve encountered a difficult-to-remove clog; a leaking unit; or even a garbage disposal system which appears to be completely jammed; knowledge of what usually causes the majority of garbage disposal failures can aid in making informed decisions regarding potential repairs and maintenance.

This article describes why garbage disposals fail; how you can minimize many common problems associated with garbage disposals; and when replacement might be the most affordable alternative.

Why do many garbage disposal problems occur?

Most garbage disposal-related problems occur due to routine household practices. Prolonged exposure to food scraps, greases, and foreign objects placed into the garbage disposal system create increased stress upon the appliance.

The most common problem associated with garbage disposal systems is a clogged garbage disposal system.

Fibrous foods (such as celery, corn husk, onion skin, etc.) can bind together and wrap themselves around the blades and surrounding components in the grinding chamber. This limits water flow past the garbage disposal system causing inadequate function. Greases, oils, and fats in cooked food particles can crystallize and accumulate in drain pipes producing blockages that impede the effectiveness of your garbage disposal system.

Another very common issue is a jammed disposal. Foreign objects (small utensils, bones, fruit pits, etc.) can become lodged inside the grinding chamber. In addition, once lodged inside the grinding chamber, the motor will typically continue to hum but not rotate normally.

Additionally, electrical issues can cause a garbage disposal to cease functioning properly.

Tripping reset switches; faulty wiring; worn-out motors can each prevent your garbage disposal system from operating normally. Recognizing these warning signs can greatly reduce the possibility of having to spend additional money for repairs later.

Warning signs indicative that your garbage disposal requires repair

Too often, many homeowners disregard slight malfunctions until total collapse of the garbage disposal occurs. By identifying and paying close attention to initial symptoms associated with your garbage disposal can save you both time and money.

Some common indications of impending failure or malfunction include:

Clogging frequently occurring in kitchen sink drains.
Leaking beneath kitchen sink.
Abnormal grinding or rattle noises from the garbage disposal system.
Unpleasant odor persistently emitting from the kitchen area.
Poor flow draining water from the kitchen sink after use.
Failure to activate; repeated resetting of the motor protection circuit breaker.

If you observe any of these above-mentioned issues occurring with your garbage disposal system, it would be wise to arrange for an assessment prior to further deterioration of the problem.

Our technicians at ac plumbing construction can rapidly identify whether a repair will resolve the problem; or if a total replacement will offer better long term reliability.

Repair or replace? What to consider before making a decision

Homeowners commonly ask “should i repair my garbage disposal; or do i need to replace it?” There are various factors that influence this decision. These include; the age of your current unit; extent of damage to the unit; along with estimated costs for repairs versus purchasing a new unit.

When considering whether or not to repair your unit consider:

Your garbage disposal is under 8 years old.
You are experiencing minor clogging issues.
You have simply tripped the reset button.
There is merely a minor leakage from a hose attachment point.
All grinding parts appear intact and operational.

On the other hand, there are times where it may be more economical and practical to replace your existing garbage disposal unit with a newer model. Specifically:

Your garbage disposal is over 10 years old.
The motor has ceased operation.
Your unit continues to malfunction repeatedly.
Small Cracks have begun appearing in the body of your garbage disposal unit.
Estimated costs for repairs approximate or exceed those for purchasing a new unit.

Newer models of garbage disposal units generally run more quietly and perform better than older models. Therefore, purchasing a new unit can result in improved overall performance while minimizing future service needs.

How to avoid common clogs & extend the useful life of your unit

The use of correct techniques and regular maintenance can significantly lengthen the useful life of your garbage disposal.

One effective method for preventing clogs is to run cold water continuously before; during; and immediately after utilizing your garbage disposal. Cold water allows Grease to solidify thereby allowing easier movement through your plumbing system.

Also important is limiting the type of debris fed into your garbage disposal. Some examples of debris you should never feed into your unit include:

Grease or oil residue resulting from cooking
Coffee grinds
Shell fragments
Vegetable fiber
Bone fragments
Sticky Pasta or rice.

Maintaining your unit regularly will also allow it to operate properly. For example feeding ice chips through your disposal will assist in removing buildup from grinding surfaces. Additionally citrus peel will eliminate odors and leave your unit smelling clean.