Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting and Repair
A Kitchen Appliance and Plumbing Fixture Eliminates Leftover Food
Diagnosing and fixing garbage disposal problems is straightforward, but the number one rule that must be obeyed is: never put a hand or any other body part into the unit through the throat, or top opening. Any number of horror movies and gangster films have shown what a bad idea this is.
Following are some possible problems this appliance may experience and how they can be fixed.
Disposal is Slow to Drain
This is most likely a partial obstruction. Do not use Draino, Liquid Plumr, or any other caustic chemical drain-clearing chemical. If it doesn't work, the problem will become much bigger. Instead, try a simple homemade drain cleaner. Look into the unit with a flashlight and ensure there is nothing impeding water flow. If there is, scoop it out.
Otherwise, remove the drain pipe and discharge pipe. If they are clogged, clean them out. Otherwise, use a plumbing snake in the discharge pipe going into the wall.
A Leaking Garbage Disposal
If the leak is occurring at the discharge pipe, make sure the connecting bolts are snug and haven't loosened up from vibration. Otherwise, disassemble, replace the gasket, and re-bolt.
If it's leaking where it connects to the dishwasher, make sure the tube is in good shape and the hose clamps are secure.
One thing to note while checking the tube to the dishwasher is that it doesn't run straight downhill from the disposal to the washer. It should not be kinked, but it should loop up so that part of the tube is higher than where it connects to the washer. Otherwise, some waste water may make its way into the dishwasher where it will pool and accumulate.
Unit Will Not Run, but It Hums
In this case, it's getting power and trying to operate, but some debris has lodged and stuck the shredder. This is usually a small piece of plastic, metal, or wood. First turn power to the disposal off. Next, insert a disposal wrench into the base of the unit and turn it clockwise.
It will turn freely as soon as the debris is dislodged.
The Unit Does Not Hum or Turn
This indicates an electrical problem. There should be a reset button located on the base of the unit. Try resetting it. Does it run now? If not, check the circuit breaker and reset it. If it still won't run, use a digital multimeter or similar electrical testing tool to see if the wall switch has power on both sides. It may be necessary to replace the electrical switch.
If this doesn't solve the problem, it's time to buy and install a new garbage disposal.
Badger Garbage Disposal
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