Garbage Disposal Repair

The question of whether to repair or replace a garbage disposal hinges on some key variables. The first of these is the cost of the repair relative to the cost of a new unit. For a unit that is new or in decent shape, the second variable—how much the repair is actually going to set you back—is critical. If the disposal is not that old and the problem is a minor one, this could be a good candidate for something to fix rather than replacing it with a new unit. The alternative scenario is a unit that is pretty much at the end of its useful life, with repair costs that might be close to the cost of a new replacement.

With appropriate maintenance and care, a garbage disposal generally lasts from 10 to 15 years, and its average lifespan is observed to be around that time.

When deciding how much to charge for the replacement of a garbage disposal, take into account these considerations:1. **Unit Replacement Cost**: The actual garbage disposal can cost from $75 to $300, depending on the brand and how powerful the model is.2. **Rate of Labor**: If you hire a professional to do the job, they may charge from $50 to $150 an hour. The task itself could take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.3. **Other Necessary Materials**: If you're doing the job yourself, you might need a few additional supplies like plumber's putty or a new connector kit, which will probably cost an extra $10 to $30.4. **Market Variance**: You might also want to check prices in your local area, as these can vary quite a bit depending on competition.Considering all of these factors, a reasonable price range might be from $200 to $500.

Should a garbage disposal cease to function, the first priority must be your safety. Ensure that the disposal is switched off and that no power is flowing to it. More than likely, it is safe to simply continue with these next steps, but for peace of mind, turn the unit off and unplug it before proceeding. Check for a reset button on the bottom side of the disposal. Press this button if you see it. Resetting the unit sometimes works. If this does not, the next probable issue is a clog. Use a wrench to turn the unit's blades from underneath, clearing whatever may be stuck in the way. If your hands are near those blades, you are too close. Check the power source by inspecting fuses and circuit breakers. If the reset didn't work and no clogs are present, you may need to read the manual or call a pro.

If your garbage disposal is making noise but not working, the most likely problem is a jammed flywheel. This is usually caused by trapped debris or food particles. Of course, if the disposal sounds like it's working, but your disposal is still not draining, there might be a problem with the motor, but that's not all that likely. If it's making noise and it sounds like it's humming, the reset button is the next thing to try. If your disposal is still just not doing its main job of draining, it's time to call in a pro.

Usually, the reset button of a garbage disposal is found on the bottom or the lower back side of the unit. A small, red button to push if the disposal has an overload or jam and stops working, it is rarely mentioned in household conversations. Normally, we don't talk about reset buttons unless we are in front of one, and even then, it's unlikely many of us would if there weren't also a conversation linked to the act of resetting something.

There are several signs you might notice that indicate your garbage disposal motor has burned out. One of the most common is a humming sound emitting from the unit that isn't accompanied by any grinding noises—because there aren't any to be made. If your disposal is making a noise like it's trying to do something when you turn it on but isn't actually doing anything, and you've already ruled out a plumbed-in power problem, then your disposal might be motor-less right now. Another sign could be a funny smell or even smoke coming from the disposal. If you experience either of these, turn the disposal off and check to see if it's still under warranty.

To begin, ensure that the disposal is powered off and unplugged. Next, look for any obstructions that could be causing the issue. Using a flashlight, examine the inside of the disposal. If you detect no visible blockage, try to manually rotate the impeller. In a good disposal, the impeller should easily rotate even when it is not powered. If the impeller is not rotating, your next step involves using an Allen wrench to free up the unit. Finally, after resetting the unit, test it to see if it works. If the unit still does not work, it might be time to call a professional.

Even when there is nothing inside to rattle, your garbage disposal could be making a noise that sounds an awful lot like something is inside to be making that noise. More often than not, what might seem like a prelude to the sound your garbage disposal makes when it is actually doing the work of disposing of garbage could very well mean that a small foreign object is stuck somewhere it shouldn't be, right alongside the disposal's blades. Of course, that is assuming that your garbage disposal isn't old and simply on the verge of falling apart, which is also something that has the potential to really get a garbage disposal owner down in the dumps.

When a garbage disposal motor burns out, it produces a sound that indicates the opposite of what one would expect. It hums and buzzes but does not make the usual grinding sounds that tell you the motor is running properly. In fact, the noise indicates that the motor is not rotating, despite receiving power. And in some cases, you might also hear a clicking sound if the reset button pops due to overheating.