How to Tell If Your Garbage Disposal Is Broken and Needs Repair in St. George, Utah.

Sending food scraps down your sink drain may be second nature when you have a garbage disposal to pulverize them. This may not always be possible if your garbage disposal malfunctions. Find out how to tell if a garbage disposal is broken in this guide from Iron Mountain Plumbing. 

We’re the right team for the job when you need a trusted plumber in St. George, Utah, for garbage disposal repairs, installation, and more. Learn why these fixtures break down, the common signs that yours needs repair, and how you can keep your unit in good condition. 

Why Garbage Disposals Quit Working

Your garbage disposal might need some troubleshooting or repairs for several reasons. These plumbing fixtures can break down due to the following issues:

• Power surges: Garbage disposals have electrical components that can overload if you’re not cautious. This can trip the circuit breaker that powers the appliance and leave you without a reliable power source. 
• Water leaks: Even a minor crack or hole in your disposal can cause water to leak and affect the equipment’s function.
• Excess strain: Filling the disposal with large amounts of material can be too much for it to handle and force you to schedule repairs. 
• Blade misalignment or damage: Be mindful of the items you send down the sink as some tough food scraps like bones or eggshells can damage the blades. 

Once you know how to tell if the garbage disposal is broken, you can typically trace the issue back to one of these causes. Plumbers in St. George primarily tackle garbage disposal repair services that center around these problems. 

Six Signs You Need Garbage Disposal Repair in St. George, Utah

Continuing to use a malfunctioning garbage disposal can eventually lead to a total system failure. It’s crucial to recognize the signs that your unit needs repair and act quickly. Below are the most common signs that you need to have a plumber inspect and repair your garbage disposal. 

1. The Disposal Makes Strange Noises

Running your garbage disposal will emit a distinct sound of the blades running as they pulverize food scraps. However, you shouldn’t hear any abnormal sounds, such as:

• Scraping sounds: This could be due to a metal utensil that accidentally ended up inside the disposal or indicates misaligned blades that scrape together. 
• Humming sounds: A slight hum when you try to operate the disposal could represent jammed blades or insufficient power. 
• Clanging noises: Your disposal might be trying to grind down tough food scraps that don’t belong there. 

Ask an expert how to tell if your garbage disposal is broken, and they’ll tell you that these unusual noises spell trouble for any homeowner. 

2. Your Unit Frequently Clogs

Garbage disposals are prone to clogging if you stuff too much material inside of them at once. However, if your system clogs despite running small loads, it could be due to a larger problem. Once an expert rules out a jam with the blades, they can examine other mechanical issues. 

It’s possible that your unit is unable to handle even small loads. Rather than repairing it every time it clogs, it could be in your best interest to upgrade to a larger, more powerful disposal. 

3. You Smell Foul Odors

You can regularly clean your garbage disposal by sending citrus fruits inside of it. This not only supports the blades but also leaves your drain with a fresh scent. If frequent cleaning doesn’t eliminate odors coming from your sink drain, the disposal could have some trapped food particles you need to flush out. 

Always let a plumber inspect the disposal if you want to get rid of persistent odors. DIY measures like chemical cleaners can create more damage to your plumbing system and only mask the odors. 

Stop using the disposal and call a professional right away if you notice a burnt smell wafting from the disposal’s outlet. Faulty electrical components can spark a fire and shouldn’t be ignored.

4. The Disposal Is Leaking Water

If you aren’t sure how to tell if a garbage disposal is broken, take a quick look beneath your sink. Any traces of water leaking from the unit are a telltale sign that you need to schedule a repair service. Leaks can occur for several reasons, including:

• Damaged flanges
• Worn-out gaskets
• Broken seals
• Cracks within the equipment

Don’t hesitate to call a trusted plumber serving St. George. Ignoring this issue not only makes the garbage disposal less effective but leaves you dealing with water damage in your kitchen. 

5. It Takes a While To Break Down Food

Modern garbage disposals usually only need to run for a few seconds to grind existing food scraps and send all wastewater down the drain. Is your unit taking a while to complete the job? Long lag times usually indicate problems with your blades. 

Plumbers will likely have to sharpen the blades or possibly replace them. Once you address the issue with your blades, the system should work properly and send all waste down your drain within seconds. 

6. You Must Reset the Disposal Frequently

The reset button located on your garbage disposal is a great way to help your system overcome clogs or power issues. Use this option when necessary, but bear in mind that frequently resetting your disposal is cause for concern. Have a qualified plumber inspect the system to identify issues that require frequent resets. 

Troubleshooting Faulty Garbage Disposal Systems

Knowing how to tell if a garbage disposal is broken allows you to act quickly and restore its function. Before you contact a plumber, you can try some basic troubleshooting tips to improve your disposal. 

If the unit won’t turn on, head to your home’s circuit breaker box. A power surge could trip the breaker, powering your garbage disposal and preventing it from operating. Switch a tripped breaker back on and monitor the disposal’s performance to see if the problem persists. 

You can try cleaning disposals that have gotten clogged or have foul odors. Natural solutions like baking soda, vinegar, and hot water will help disintegrate clogged food particles and freshen up the sink drain. You can also run the disposal with slices of lemons, limes, or other citrus fruits to combat odors.

How St. George Plumbers Fix Faulty Garbage Disposals

If you experience any of the problems listed above, you should contact a qualified plumber who specializes in garbage disposal repairs. Their service will depend on the exact issue affecting your unit, but repairs may include:

• Tightening loose blades
• Sharpening dull blades or replacing faulty ones
• Patching leaks 
• Replacing broken seals
• Removing food particles that clog the drain
• Checking all electrical components

Most repair services are fairly quick so you can continue using the disposal after a short disruption. In some cases, you might need to replace the equipment. Experts typically recommend replacing the unit if it has large cracks, irreparable damage, or if it’s not powerful enough to handle your normal loads. 

Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

It’s important to not only know how to tell if the garbage disposal is broken but also how to maintain it. You can keep your system working properly with the following tips. 

1. Use Smaller Loads

Don’t wait until your garbage disposal fills up to run it. Stuffing the disposal with large loads of scraps increases the chance of clogs and can create unwanted odors. Run the disposal more frequently with smaller loads. 

2. Keep Certain Items Out of the Disposal

You’re bound to have problems with your garbage disposal if you aren’t mindful about what you’re putting in there. These systems are safe for many food scraps but keep the following items out of them:

• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds
• Animal bones
• Tough, stringy produce like celery or corn husks
• Starchy foods like pasta, rice, or potatoes
• Cooking grease, fats, and oils

In addition, take steps to prevent utensils or sponges from ending up inside the disposal. Consider putting a mesh strainer over the sink drain to collect larger items and keep them from entering your garbage disposal. 

3. Clean the Disposal Regularly

One of the best ways you can maintain your garbage disposal is by cleaning it frequently. You’ll eliminate lingering odors as well as clear any clogs within the drain pipe by cleaning the disposal. This can be as simple as pouring equal parts baking soda and vinegar into the drain.

You can also put some ice cubes into the disposal and let it run. The ice helps strengthen the blades so they can cut through food scraps. 

Book Unbeatable Kitchen Plumbing Services in St. George, Utah, Including Garbage Disposal Repairs

Now that you know how to tell if a garbage disposal is broken, don’t delay finding the best plumbers in St. George and scheduling a repair service. Iron Mountain Plumbing is your go-to source for garbage disposal repairs and other kitchen plumbing solutions. We understand the complexities of these fixtures and can get yours working again quickly. 

Contact Iron Mountain Plumbing today to request immediate service.