Garbage Disposal Repair: When it all goes wrong!
Garbage Disposal Repair
Hopefully Garbage Disposal Repair is something you'll only rarely need. Disposal units usually runn flawlessly for years as long as you don't abuse them but inevitably there will come a day when it waves the little white flag of surrender and packs in.
When you need to repair your garbage disposal you have two main choices, do it your self or get some one in. Hopefully we can assist you with that choice and other information.
Garbage Disposal Repair - It Won't Run
There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a garbage disposal. That is why there is a lot of garbage disposal advice out there. However, if we were to narrow it down to the top problem people have a with their disposal, it would have to be that it won't run. There is just nothing that compares to a sink full of food scraps and disposal that does nothing when you turn it on. Fortunately, for this top problem there is a pretty simple solution that will work in most cases.
Many people automatically think a garbage disposal is a complex piece of equipment. In reality, most of the problems people have involve simple garbage disposal repair. So, before you call the repair man, take a few moments to assess the situation.
When a garbage disposal won't run there are few reasons why. It could not be getting any power, which could mean a damaged cord or even a bad outlet. A break could need reset or it could just be worn out and need replaced. More often than not, it just needs reset.
You should begin by checking out the unit. Make sure you never put your hand in the disposal. Start with the power cord. Is it plugged in? If not then you have found your problem. If it is plugged in then unplug it and test the outlet. Just plug something else in and see if it works. If it doesn't then the problem is not the disposal. You might want to check the breaker. If you have not found the problem then move on to resetting the unit.
Garbage disposals are made to be rather user friendly and rep[air friendly. It doesn't take any complicated tools or knowledge to reset your garbage disposal. All you have to do is look for the reset button. This is usually located on the bottom of the unit and it is usually bright colored. If it needs reset then the button will be sticking out. Simply push the button and you should have a working disposal.
Most of the time resetting the unit will do the trick. If it doesn't and the power to the outlet is fine then maybe it is just time for a new disposal. These things may be tough and last a while, but they do wear out eventually. Typically there is no other repair that can be done for a unit that is not getting power. However, you can always check with a repair man to see what he thinks if you are ready to buy a new one.
Garbage Disposal Repair Tips
Garbage disposal repair is something that can often be handled by you. There is not usually a need to call in a professional for help unless you have a serious situation or something complicated has broken within the unit. Most of the time you can do repairs with a few simple tools and some basic knowledge.
Garbage disposal repair starts with knowing a little about the unit. Never put your hand into a unit that is plugged in. Always unplug before attempting to service the unit. There is a chance for injury if you have your hand inside the unit and it gets turned on.
Prevention is often the best way to keep your disposal running good. By following some general rules you can prevent many problems. Always use cold water when running the disposal. Hot water may lead to clogs. Don't try to stuff too much in the machine. Feed it slowly and let it drain before adding more. Do not use any type of cleaner that is not made for garbage disposals. Check your owner's manual to see what foods should not be put in the disposal. Doing these things will help cut down on wear and tear and help to keep your unit in good working order.
At some point, though, you are bound to need garbage disposal repair. If your disposal is not working right then you need to find out what is going on. Start by identifying the problem. A common issue is no power. Another problem that happens is it won't break down food. Other issues include bad smells and slow draining.
To begin you should always unplug the unit. This is for safety reasons. If no power is your problem, ensure the outlet is working and reset the unit using the reset button. If it is not breaking up food then try cleaning it. Use some a mix of salt and ice and run it through. This can help get rid of build up that could slow the function of the unit. If smell is a concern then toss a cut up lemon in to cut the smell.
If you are having major issue that you can't resolve then it is best to call a professional. You probably don't want to take your disposal apart on your own. A professional will know how to take it apart and put it back together. Also a professional is trained to know just what is going on and will be able to get it fixed quickly for you.
Common Garbage Disposal Repair Situations
No matter how new or old your garbage disposal is, there will come a time when you need to do some garbage disposal repair. The good news about this is that there are many situations where you can easily repair the disposal yourself. Here is a look at some of the common garbage disposal repair situations.
Stuck Object
It is common for someone to toss something down the disposal that is not supposed to go there. Whether it is small toy, a piece of silverware or just something that the disposal can't handle. When this happens it always seems you don't notice until it is too late. This ends up jamming the disposal. Remember to unplug the disposal before getting started. To remove the item use tongs or some other tool that can reach down in there and grab it out to remove the foreign item. Then plug it back in and try running it again.
Clogs
Clogs can happen for many reasons. It could be normal sludge, something too thick went down the drain or oil has hardened within the pipes. No matter why there is a clog, it is a problem that needs fixed fast. You can use a clog cleaner that is made for use in disposals. If that doesn't work then loosen the P trap and see if you can clean it out from there. You may even need to use a snake to work the clog out.
Overload
When your disposal is overloaded it has a feature that automatically shuts it off. This will happen to prevent the machine from getting too hot. When this happens try hitting the reset button. If this doesn't work then you will need to contact a professional because the electrical part of the machine may need serviced.
With any of these situations, if you can't fix the problem then it is time to call a professional. There are may companies that offer garbage disposal repairs service. These companies may be able to help repair your disposal instead of having to get it replaced which can save you a lot of money. When working on your disposal make sure that you never put your hand inside the machine when working on it. Even with the power off you do not want to put your hands into the working part of the machine. If you are ever in doubt just call a professional. This will ensure you don't get hurt or damage the machine.
Garbage Disposal Repair By Professionals
The garbage disposal is one of the most used machines in your home. Due to all the use it is common for problems to come up. Garbage disposal repair is something that you should be familiar with if you own a disposal. However, many of us don't have time or the skills needed to do garbage disposal repair on our own. This is when it is time to call a professional.
There are many professionals who offer garbage disposal repair services. Typically, plumbers will be the most common professionals who offer repair services for a garbage disposals. Most companies have years of experience in repairing disposals and their plumbers are trained to determine the problem and get the machine fixed quickly.
Common problems that you will see with a garbage disposal include simply fixes that you can probably handle yourself. Sometimes a machine simply fails to work. It doesn't make noise at all. This is usually fixed with hitting the reset button. Sometimes a foreign object gets in the machine and jams it up. By simply removing the object the machine works fine again. However, these simple problems are not the only things that can happen.
When your garbage disposal fails to work properly you may be better off calling a professional. A professional can handle things like leaks, clogs, tough jams and horrible smells. These problems may be a larger plumbing issue that only a professional can really remedy. Many times people try to fix these problems themselves and end up having to get a whole new disposal. It is much easier to call out a professional who can fix it and save you some money.
Another thing about calling a professional to do garbage disposal repair is that a professional can often get replacement parts to fix a machine that has a serious problem. Many people do not know enough to replace parts, so they replace the whole disposal. There is no need to spend all that money and waste time by doing that when a professional can make the replacements and get your disposal working good as new.
Even if your disposal is beyond repair a professional can still be of help. A professional can recommend a new disposal. This is going to be very helpful because the professional will know due to the damage on your old machine just what kind of new disposal would work best for your needs. A professional knows that some damage is caused by excessive use or heavy loads and he or she can recommend a new disposal that can handle the type of use it will get in your home. Again, a professional is saving you money because you get a disposal that will work better for you and last longer.