Are you having trouble with a broken garbage disposal? Do noisy grinding and humming noises stop it from working correctly? If so, your frustration is understandable. A malfunctioning garbage disposal can be an unwelcome nuisance. Luckily, fixing it doesn’t have to be as complicated or time-consuming as you think. In this post, you’ll find information on how to troubleshoot common problems and provide tips and tricks for diagnosing more complex issues. So if you’re looking for an easy way to get your kitchen back up and running again, look no further!
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The Average Cost Of Replacing A Garbage Disposal
On average, replacing a garbage disposal can cost anywhere from $90 to upwards of $400 or more in labor costs. The price you pay is mainly based on the size and type of garbage disposal unit chosen, as well as the complexity of the installation process. Additionally, removing existing disposals and other factors like high ceilings or hard-to-reach spots may involve added costs.
That being said, it is important to properly research all your options beforehand to ensure you get the best value for your money. Part of this research should include finding ways to fix the garbage disposal and understanding what is involved in a professional installation.
Tips To Troubleshoot A Broken Garbage Disposal
If you are having trouble with your garbage disposal, it may be possible to troubleshoot the issue on your own. The following section will take a look at some of the different things you can do to try and diagnose the problem:
Check For Obstructions
Checking for obstructions in your garbage disposal is vital to taking care of it. When food, cutlery, or other non-suitable items become stuck and lodged inside, your disposal won’t work properly and could break down entirely. To avoid this, check for any items that may have been accidentally dropped down the drain periodically.
To do this, turn off the power to the disposal, use an Allen wrench to remove any visible clogs, and look for anything blocking the impeller. If you can’t see it or cannot reach it with your hands, a pair of pliers should do the trick.
Inspect The Power Source
Inspecting the power source to troubleshoot broken garbage disposal is often straightforward. With the proper steps and careful inspection, you can identify the root of the problem and allow yourself to fix it without having to call in a professional technician. The first step is to locate your power switch and ensure it hasn’t been turned off. After that, if it’s still not working, chances are you have a fuse issue or tripped circuit breaker.
To rectify this issue, reset the breaker or replace any blown fuses. Lastly, check that all wires are tightly connected to the device, including grounds, if any, before powering it on again. This process of inspecting and troubleshooting will help ensure safety while enabling you to rectify any issues with your garbage disposal in no time!
Clear The Drain Pipe
Clearing the drain pipe isn’t difficult, but it can often be complex as the issue you’re trying to diagnose can be hidden just beneath the surface. Different disposals are built with different sizes and designs, so you may need to reach deep beneath the sink and feel around for some clogging material that could be causing an issue.
Make sure to take your time when doing this, as it’s easy to miss a blockage that may be hidden in the pipes. To help make things easier, use an inexpensive plumber’s snake or garb-o-matic tool to further down and clear away any debris clogging up your drain line. This will help ensure that you don’t have any remaining blockage that may be hindering the performance of your disposal.
Secure Any Connections
Understanding how the drainpipe connection works, and the parts that compose it, can help you identify potential causes of your problem. Start by keeping track of the plumbing pieces – such as the sink flange, filter, slip-joint nuts, and washers – to ensure all are tightly secured together. To check for any gaps via air testing, plug the sink drains and run water into both sides of your garbage disposal.
If air bubbles appear on either side when you check near all pipe junctions, this indicates a leak with one or more leaking connections. Ensure to properly inspect all fittings and tighten up any necessary screws while cautioning not to over-tighten them, which could cause additional damage in the long run.
Check The Flywheel
A primary source of most garbage disposal issues is the flywheel, which helps spin the blades in the unit and grind food particles. If you suspect the flywheel might be at fault, checking that it is spinning when you turn it on is important. If you can feel it spinning but still hear a grinding noise, this could indicate that some object has become stuck in the impellers.
Typically, screws are all needed to access the flywheel and remove any debris that may be stuck inside. With a flashlight, you should then be able to inspect the flywheel and determine if it needs additional attention. On the other hand, if no movement is felt, then it could mean that your garbage disposal needs to be serviced or replaced altogether.
Remove The Disposal
If all else fails, you may need to remove the garbage disposal to inspect it properly. You’ll need a bucket, pliers, and an adjustable wrench to do this. Start by putting a bucket beneath the disposal unit and turning off the power before loosening the slip-joint nut screws with your pliers. Next, use your adjustable wrench to unscrew the mounting screws of the disposal before carefully sliding it out.
Once you have successfully removed it, inspect for any excess buildup clogging up your unit and clear away debris if necessary. Be sure to properly clean off the blades and ensure all parts are working correctly before re-installing the garbage disposal. After restoring the disposal, run a few tests as you turn it on again.
Use These Tips To Troubleshoot A Broken Garbage Disposal!
Diagnosing and repairing a broken garbage disposal issue can be overwhelming for most homeowners. With the above tips and tricks in mind, however, you should now have all the tools necessary for tackling these problems – enabling you to rectify any issues with your garbage disposal in no time! Remember that if you run into any issues you can’t fix on your own, it’s best to contact a professional plumber for assistance. They have the expertise necessary to take care of any tougher problems that may arise.
