Professional garbage disposal repair is just a phone call away. Contact Blue Harbor Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!
Garbage disposals are some of the most convenient modern-day kitchen tools, which is why they now come standard in many kitchen designs. But when a disposal breaks, it can make your kitchen less functional and increase the risk of sink clogs dramatically.
If you ever need garbage disposal repair, give the experts at Blue Harbor Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call. Our talented team offers 24/7 emergency plumbing repairs and can fix your broken garbage disposal at any time.
How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?
A garbage disposal attaches to the bottom of your kitchen sink drain with special mounting bolts and collects food particles before grinding them up and disposing of them. The disposal contains a small impeller plate that spins rapidly to pulverize food particles against the side of its chamber.
A garbage disposal is attached to a drain line connector that carries debris to your wastewater lines and out into the sewer. Additionally, a garbage disposal has a reset button on the bottom that acts like a circuit breaker to help stop the unit if it overloads or overheats.
Signs You Need Garbage Disposal Repair
If you notice any of the following signs, contact a garbage disposal repair expert from Blue Harbor Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment.
Bad Smells
Garbage disposals might smell strange right after you put food in them, but the smell shouldn’t linger if your disposal is working properly. A persistent bad smell from your garbage disposal is a sign it may be clogged and not fully disposing of food particles. Call a professional to take apart your disposal and remove rotten food particles to prevent pungent odors.
Loud Sounds
Garbage disposals make grinding noises when they turn on, but they should not make loud, intermittent scraping sounds. You also shouldn’t hear any rattling, squeaking, or clanging coming from them.
If you sense these sounds, unplug your garbage disposal and look inside it with a flashlight to check for foreign objects, such as silverware. If you don’t find anything and the sound remains, contact an expert to diagnose the issue.
Garbage Disposal Leaks
Garbage disposals have lots of moving parts, and the seals around their connecting pipes can weaken over time. In some cases, it can cause leaks and lead to water dripping into the cabinets underneath your sink. If you notice a garbage disposal leak, reach out to an expert to fix it quickly before it does extensive damage to your kitchen.
Disposal Won’t Turn On
The most obvious sign you have a garbage disposal problem is that your unit simply doesn’t turn on. If you encounter this, your garbage disposal might have a damaged electrical motor or a loose connection. Press the reset button on your disposal and turn the power on again. Touch base with a licensed plumber if this doesn’t correct the issue.
Disposal Shuts Off Frequently
If your garbage disposal ever shuts down, try pushing the reset button to turn it back on. If it continues to shut down regularly, it may indicate an issue with your disposal’s electrical system causing your reset breaker to trip over and over again. Arrange to have a plumber inspect your disposal and come up with a solution to fix it.
Schedule Expert Plumbing and Heating Services in the South Shore
Whether you need garbage disposal repair, water heater installation, or HVAC replacement, we’re the service experts to call. With over 15 years of experience, we can deliver quality work every time. Contact Blue Harbor Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (781) 421-7377 today to request a free quote!
FAQs
Here are several common questions about garbage disposals our experts receive while on the job.
How Can I Take Care of My Garbage Disposal?
The best way to take care of your garbage disposal is to avoid putting large food scraps and foreign objects that can clog your pipes into it. This includes starchy foods, oils, grease, bones, gristle, nuts, husks, pasta, and fruits.
What Is the Average Lifespan of a Garbage Disposal?
The average lifespan of garbage disposal is about 10 years. It may last longer than that if you take good care of it and avoid putting foreign objects in it.
How Long Does It Take To Replace a Garbage Disposal?
The time it takes to replace a garbage disposal depends on the specific model, but it typically takes about one to two hours to replace a garbage disposal. It may take longer than this to remove a damaged model in need of garbage disposal repair and reinstall the disposal that’s replacing it.
