How to Fix Garbage Disposal Problems?

Are you serious your newly installed garbage disposal is not starting or even sometimes bumps up rather than smoothly grinding food waste?

Wait a minute!

Your garbage disposal is at risk and may burn its motor. Fix your garbage disposal problems as soon as possible without leaving any chance of severe damage.

You need to know what potential problems your disposal may face and how you have to tackle this miserable solution. Just figure it out either it is the disposal's connection issue, drainage problem, or the leakage that is ruining it.

We will dig deep into the garbage disposal problems and give you multiple solutions to bring your disposal to life. Here we get started.

How to fix Garbage Disposal Problems?

If you have installed a garbage disposal, sooner or later you will encounter these common issues that may result in the death of your disposal if not handled on time. So, be careful and have their solutions in your hands.

Garbage disposal not ‘Turning ON’

When you start your garbage disposal, it neither starts nor hums, there are chances that

• Reset button is OFF
• Tripped circuit breaker
• Loose wire connections

There is a possibility that you may be caught with any of these problems. So, start figuring it out.

First of all, make sure you have rightly plugged in the switch in the functional panel. Now check the RED reset button of the disposal that would be present at the bottom. This reset button is a sort of built-in circuit breaker that may be tripped and not allow the garbage disposal to start. If it is popped outward, press it back and then check the unit. If it doesn’t work, go for circuit analysis and reset the breaker’s lever. It must start now, if not, there are chances of loose wire connections. Locate the switch and inspect all the connections thoroughly. Hopefully, when you plug it in the panel, your garbage disposal will start working.

Humming garbage disposal

Humming disposals are at more risk because their motor may burn in this jammed state. You are providing the current but there is something fishy inside the unit that needs to be addressed.

• To deal with these hums, flip the switch OFF and disconnect all the connections with the unit to prevent any accidental start.
• Observe the unit to check any food and manually remove it with a wooden stick or with a spoon.
• Start the unit. If it doesn’t get any change, push the blades and manually remove them with the same wooden spoon. You have to be very careful when doing this step and don’t touch the blades with your hands. The blades are immensely sharp to cut your hands.
• Now again check it by plugging the switch. There must be some improvement.
• Next, turn the flywheel back and forth with Allen wrench and rotate to remove stuck food waste. If this goes well, that’s great. If the problem remains unsolved, it means you are late and the motor is no more.

Garbage disposal draining issues

The draining issues of the sink and garbage disposal are the most commonly reported problems that are surely a headache. Clogging is the main culprit of this drainage problem that leads to even disassembling of the unit. So, let’s start and follow these five steps.

• First of all, unbolt the discharge pipe to the disposal and disconnect the drain trap.
• Remove it and discharge the drain.
• Check for the clogged waste materials and remove until it is clean.
• Reconnect the drain trap and attach the drainage tube to the disposal unit.
• Turn the water on and run from the sink. I’m sure it drains freely. 

Leakage problems

Having garbage disposal means you have to keep an eye on any spilling water that may spoil your cabinet and make it smelly. Before going to fix the leakage, it is compulsory to locate it first. There are three prime leakage points where disposal may have leakage issues that are sink flange, dishwasher hose connections, or the drainage pipe.

First, check the flanges under the sink where the disposal is attached. If you found it wet, it means you have to trace the leakage. Loosen the flange by unbolting it and apply the plumber's putty there. Retighten the bolts and fix the flange at the point.

If your flange is not causing leakage, check the hose connections and make sure they are tightened and the drainage pipe is also under your close observations.