It’s probably one of our favorite inventions of the 20th century – the garbage disposal. It provides an ideal means of keeping things tidy while prepping, cooking, and cleaning up the kitchen. The good thing is these under-the-sink appliances are typically pretty reliable, but like any tool with moving parts, they eventually start to break down. Here are some examples of garbage disposal problems that may require repairs or replacement.
- Leaky systems. Garbage disposals will often develop leaks, which are typically an easy fix. The cause is usually a faulty o-ring, which a professional can easily replace for you.
- If your garbage disposal is making grinding sounds, it is definitely a sign of a problem. You may have something stuck in the system, or it could indicate failing parts. If you can’t locate anything that fell into the disposal and got stuck, call a repairman to assess the situation.
- Clogged or slow draining. When your disposal is working properly, it will drain very quickly. If it is not, and seems to be backed up, it may indicate that there is a clog deep in the pipe that needs to be cleared.
- If your garbage disposal won’t turn on or if it is making a humming sound, but won’t do anything, it is likely that there is something jammed in the blades. You can try to clear the jam by turning the system off at the breaker, wearing gloves, and trying to free the clog.
These issues often require minor repairs that will get your garbage disposal functioning normally again for many years. However, there are times that it will be more cost effective to replace the entire unit. If you are experiencing issues that prevent your disposal from doing its job, call the expert technicians at Birmingham at (248) 952-9900 to assist with your plumbing needs.
