While the garbage disposal has remained fairly consistent in design for years, its applications have surely multiplied over time. At this point, it’s nearly impossible to go a day without this reliable kitchen convenience, especially if you are fond of cooking.
But what should you do if your garbage disposal acts up? Should you troubleshoot the problem yourself, or call a plumber in Boca Raton for help? The answer lies in how complicated the issue is.
In this blog, we will walk you through six common garbage disposal issues that might require you to pick up the phone and dial a 24-hour plumbing service provider.
Six Instances in Which You’ll Need a Boca Raton Plumber to Repair Your Garbage Disposal
Do you often look at your garbage disposal and wonder, “should I call a plumber near me to fix this?” It’s easy to get confused between an ordinary glitch and a serious problem. Here are six typical garbage disposal issues that might require a professional plumbing fix.
Your Garbage Disposal Smells Funny
Garbage disposal has rotating blades that chop up food scraps into fine pieces. Sometimes, the blades get stuck in one position and are unable to break down the waste. This can happen even if the motor is running appropriately, making this problem difficult to identify.
As a result, leftovers get trapped in the disposal and start decomposing. This releases a foul odor, causing your garbage disposal to smell bad. You can call a plumber in Boca Raton to repair the drainage issue and free up the blades.
If the smell persists even after repeated cleaning and fixing, you might have to replace your garbage disposal. This is usually the case with old models where regular use may have worn down the unit.
Slow Drainage
Your garbage disposal can drain slowly due to a clogged drainage line. While you can fix this yourself, we’d advise you to stay away from corrosive chemical cleaners, since they often end up damaging the unit permanently.
Instead, you can whip up an old-fashioned concoction of baking soda and vinegar and pour it down the drain. That should do the job in case of ordinary congestion.
However, if the clog remains, you may have to pull up a few search results for “plumber near me.” A professional plumber will know how to detach the drain tap, remove any major clogs, and get your garbage disposal unit fired up again.
Your Garbage Disposal Is Leaking
Most often, garbage disposals leak because of a faulty seal around the kitchen sink flange (the drain hole where the unit meets the sink.) In such situations, tightening the rings or reapplying the putty around the sink flange can fix the issue.
Leaking garbage disposal could also indicate a crack in the casing, caused by regular wear and tear or damage inflicted by a foreign object.
There could be multiple reasons behind leaky garbage disposal. That’s why it’s always best to call for an experienced plumber in Boca Raton who can resolve the problem before it gets worse.
Your Garbage Disposal Is Jammed
You’ll know your garbage disposal is jammed if you hear a low humming noise when you switch it on. This basically suggests that although electricity is reaching the motor, the jam is preventing the blades from turning.
You may be able to locate and clear out the blockage if it’s near the top of the unit. However, if it’s located deeper down and you are not comfortable with taking the plumbing apart to remove it, you should probably get some help from a certified plumber.
Your Garbage Disposal Is Turned On But Not Working
A quiet garbage disposal may seem like an ideal bet. But if it is switched on, silent, and not grinding at all, chances are there’s some deep-running issue at play.
First, you should do the obvious and check if the unit is switched on. If you see the reset button popped out, press it and see if that helps (it’s usually red and located at the base of the disposal.) Otherwise, you can check if the circuit breaker in the electrical service panel has been tripped.
Once you are out of options, you’ll probably have to do some quick Googling for a “plumber near me.” Getting in touch with a plumber will help you take all the necessary steps much more cautiously.
Your Garbage Disposal Has Broken Down Completely
It is quite possible for your garbage disposal to break down entirely, either due to one of the reasons listed above or something unprecedented. Moreover, if the unit is beyond repair, you may have to opt for a complete replacement.
Unless you are confident in your own plumbing skills, it’s better that you hire a professional plumber in Boca Raton to take care of your needs.
How to Maintain A Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal is not designed to handle all types of scraps and liquids. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid putting the following items in your garbage disposal to minimize operation-related problems:
- Fibrous or tough waste
- Fruit pits
- Grease and oil from pans
- Potato peels
- Hard objects made of plastic, glass, or metal.
Here are a few other steps you can follow to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly:
- Avoid shoving large food chunks, pasta, and rice down your garbage disposal. These starchy foods usually form a sticky paste that can jam the drainage line. The same applies to bones and meat scraps as they are hard to break down and can pressurize the blades.
- Every time you finish using your disposal, pour a little dish soap and cold water down the drain to clean it out. It will keep foul smells at bay.
- Alternatively, you can grind lemon or orange peels to freshen up your garbage disposal naturally.
- You can grind a few ice cubes in the garbage disposal once a month to keep the blades sharp. It’ll also help remove any trapped waste from inside the unit.
- Don’t add too many food scraps to the garbage disposal at once. Instead, feed them into the grinder gradually.
- Always use cold water to grind your waste and discarded food scraps.
Conclusion
That said, your garbage disposal can malfunction even if you are careful. Considering how important the unit is to your day-to-day kitchen work, you might want to get it back in shape as soon as possible. In such cases, a certified plumber would probably be your best shot at fixing the issue quickly and effectively.
Contact a Professional Plumber in Boca Raton Today!
Experts at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration are trained to resolve complex garbage disposal issues effectively. Our professional and timely services are bound to ensure excellent client satisfaction. You can reach out to our plumbing specialists at 561-260-5763 or visit our website to schedule a service call today.
