Your garbage disposal helps you keep your sink and kitchen clean and to dispose of food particles in a way that shouldn’t stink up your space or clog your pipes. However, garbage disposals can wear down and break, the same as anything else. Repairs work for a time, however, there comes a point when you’ll need to replace your garbage disposal in order to keep everything running smoothly.
It can be difficult to know when repairs will cut it and when you need to replace your garbage disposal. Here are some of the telltale signs that you can watch out for that indicate it’s probably time to replace your garbage disposal.
#1. It Needs Constant Repairs
Garbage disposals can last a long time, up to 15 years with proper maintenance. However, all good things come to an end and no garbage disposal lasts forever. If you’re frequently having to get garbage disposal repairs and it feels like you’re spending more money maintaining your current garbage disposal than it would cost to replace it, this is likely a sign that you need to replace your garbage disposal because it’s wearing out.
#2. It Won’t Turn On
Sometimes, this doesn’t mean that you need to replace your garbage disposal. If your garbage disposal won’t turn on, this could very easily just be an electrical issue. It could be something as simple as the fact that the power cord is not properly connected. It could also mean that there’s a tripped circuit fuse, which you’ll want to check the fuse box for. In some cases, the good old turning it off and on again can fix the issue.
If it does turn on but just makes a humming noise instead of working, this means that there’s some sort of obstruction keeping the blades from turning. You can check for a clog after turning your garbage disposal off.
However, if it seems like nothing is working, you probably need to have it replaced. It’s always a good idea to check with a technician or plumber to make sure that nothing can be done before going the replacement route.
#3. It’s Smelly And Clogs Frequently
Your garbage disposal should take care of the food waste you put down it without clogging or leaving residual odors. However, if there are bad smells coming from your garbage disposal and it’s clogging frequently, this is something that can be remedied in a variety of ways.
For starters, you may not even need to replace your garbage disposal if you have this issue because it could simply be the result of putting the wrong things down the disposal. Helpful as garbage disposals are, you can’t put anything you please down them. Greasy, oily materials can stick to the disposal and stringy foods can cause it to clog. Watch this space, as our next blog will cover what you can and cannot put down a garbage disposal.
In some cases, merely using soap and water can resolve the issue. However, if this doesn’t help, it may be time to consider garbage disposal replacement. This is because if you’re constantly struggling with clogged pipes, this could mean that the waste isn’t being ground properly. In some cases, the blades can be sharpened. More often than not, however, if you’re frequently struggling with a clogged garbage disposal and it smells bad, this likely means that it’s time to consider replacement.
#4. It Leaks
Considering how you put food waste down the garbage disposal, the last thing you want is for it to leak. Sometimes, a leaky garbage disposal is just one that needs repairs. Garbage disposals can leak when there’s a crack in the system, the seals have broken down, the gasket has worn out, and for all sorts of other reasons. You can contact a plumber or a technician to come out and fix it.
However, depending on where your garbage disposal is leaking from, the problem could be more serious. In some cases, it could be more cost-effective to simply replace your garbage disposal rather than have it repaired. For instance, if your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom, this is something that can be repaired, but it will likely be an expensive fix.
As always, if you have any questions about whether or not you should replace your garbage disposal or if it can be repaired, you should contact a professional, like VanderDoes Home Services, to come out and evaluate it.
VanderDoes Home Services provides garbage disposal repair. To schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!