Tips On How To Fix Broken Kitchen Garbage Disposals

Kitchen garbage disposals can stop functioning when used without water, or when solids are dropped accidentally. The common causes are as a result of food materials such as potato peels. No matter the causes, you don’t need to give up on your disposer since there is something you can do about it. The following four (4) tips will help you to fix your disposer whenever it stops working;

1. When The Garbage Disposer Cannot Switch On. Whenever there is electrical fault, a disposer can neither turn on nor produce the buzzing sound. However, make sure it is plugged in before attempting to do any repair. If it is plugged in, check the reset button at the bottom of the disposer and press to reset the appliance. The button will pop out, indicating that it is ready for use. If this is doesn’t work, check if the circuit breaker may have tripped. If all the attempts don’t work, then you will need to look for a good plumber to fix the problem.

2. Fixing When Flywheel Is Stuck. You will discover the flywheel is stuck if the disposer produces buzzing sound, but it cannot turn on. This means there is something lodged between the flywheel and the shredder ring. Therefore, turn off power at the electrical panel before starting repair. Using the offset wrench, insert it into the flywheel turning hole at the bottom of the appliance. Turn the wrench clockwise to dislodge the flywheel. If you don’t have the wrench, use a wooden stick, similar to a broom-handle. If the problem is more complex, don’t hesitate to call a plumber.

3. Fixing Leakages On Kitchen Garbage Disposals. The common areas where leakage occurs in disposers include; sink flange, dishwasher connection, or discharge drainpipe. If it occurs on the sink flange, turn off the power before starting to fix the problem. Carefully, loosen the appliance from the mounting flange by turning it clockwise. Tighten the bolts on the mounting flange because they might be the cause of leakages. If leakage is at the dishwasher, tighten the clamp connected to the inlet by the dishwasher hose. Otherwise, replace the dishwasher hose. Leakages at the discharge drainpipe can be fixed by tightening the bolts holding the discharge pipe. If it is not yet working, try to replace the gasket. If the problem persists, call a professional plumber to fix the problem.

4. Slow Draining Kitchen Sinks With Disposals. The common cause of slow draining is poor disposal of solid food waste. The solids should react with water appropriately in order to get grinded well. However, lack of water after the solids have been directed to the waste line can cause slow draining. To fix the problem, disconnect the discharge pipe and the drain trap, and then check the clogs. If the disposer requires special attention, look for a qualified plumber to repair it.

In conclusion, most qualified plumbers advise not to use chemical drain cleaners with kitchen garbage disposals because they will get damaged. This will cause serious mess, making your disposal full of toxic substances. This will give you a challenging task of removing them. Also, avoid grinding potato skins because they will automatically clog your appliance. Lastly, avoid putting eggshells and coffee grounds into the appliance because they will create a clog in the pipe.