Why Is My Garbage Disposal Not Working?

These days, having a garbage disposal within your home is an expectation, not a privilege. These devices make cooking and cleaning within kitchen spaces much easier, allowing homeowners to dispose of organic waste down their drain. As a result, issues with your garbage disposal can be both an inconvenience and a danger as hazardous waste could accumulate.

When your garbage disposal starts malfunctioning, you may wonder, “Why is my garbage disposal not working?” There are many potential causes that can lead to garbage disposal disrepair. The best way to diagnose these issues is to call a professional plumber. 

Call the top-rated plumbing experts in Winnipeg from King’s Services when you need help addressing garbage disposal issues. With over 50 qualified and dedicated employees, we can handle your garbage disposal problems swiftly. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you notice your system malfunctioning. 

Reasons Why Your Garbage Disposal May Not Be Working

From minor electrical issues to complete system failure, there are many reasons your garbage disposal might be experiencing problems. Because of the various potential issues, getting a professional to inspect your system is the best solution.

Review these common causes of garbage disposal issues before scheduling service. However, if you complete DIY troubleshooting and are still asking, “Why is my garbage disposal not working?” call King’s Services.

Electrical Problems

Electrical problems are one common issue that cause garbage disposals to malfunction. From power sources becoming dislodged to circuit breakers tripping, many electrical problems can adversely impact your garbage disposal. 

Before assuming the worst, check your garbage disposal’s power source to ensure it’s still fully plugged in and operational. The supplies many homeowners keep under their sinks can displace plugs that power the disposal.

If your plug remains in place, check your circuits to make sure operating appliances or your disposal didn’t trip a breaker. Many modern homes have dishwashers and garbage disposals protected by the same circuit breaker. Excess electrical use in your kitchen can inhibit the operation of this crucial mechanism.

Overheating

Disposals that run too hard for too long can quickly overheat. When garbage disposals overheat, they either trip the breaker or the automatic stop so they can cool down.

If your disposal has been running for a long time, you may need to check for signs of overheating. Hover your hand near the mechanism to check whether there is heat emanating. You should also check the breakers on your electrical panel to see whether overheating caused a trip.

Drain Clogs

Aside from a jammed flywheel, your drain can still become clogged from certain substances. Copious amounts of food and organic waste can gather in your drain before reaching the garbage disposal. In the event of a drain clog, you may hear your garbage disposal spinning without any of the crunching or waste breakdown.

Although many homeowners turn to chemical drain uncloggers like Drano, these chemicals can degrade the metal components of your system. As such, the best way to resolve a clog is by calling professionals who use specialized tools to remove the foreign object.

Jammed Flywheel

The flywheel of your garbage disposal is the main component responsible for shredding food and other  organic waste before it goes down your drain. These mechanisms reside within the main framework of your garbage disposal and can be dangerous to repair, even after turning off power sources.

If your garbage disposal turns on but only hums, there could be a jam within the flywheel. Certain food items and waste jam flywheels more easily. While you can check for a jam, attempting your own repair could be dangerous due to the hazardous nature of these mechanisms.

Expired or Faulty Motor

Ultimately, you might be experiencing garbage disposal issues because you have an expired system. While most garbage disposals should last a little over ten years, overuse or misuse could cause yours to expire earlier than expected. Furthermore, certain systems might fail due to faulty manufacturing or shoddy parts.

If your system expires, professionals will need to replace every component to restore the functionality of this appliance. Call King’s Services experts to get your garbage disposal up and running again.

FAQs About Garbage Disposal Malfunctions

Many homeowners aren’t sure what services to ask for when calling professionals to amend their garbage disposal problem. Reviewing these frequently asked questions about garbage disposal malfunctions might offer some clues to the state of your system before calling experts for repairs or replacements.

How Long Should My Disposal Last?

Most garbage disposals should function without issue for about ten years. After this period, you’ll probably start experiencing noticeable declines in functionality and efficacy while using this mechanism. 

While your system should work for at least this long, it’s possible for it to fail before then. Putting inappropriate objects down your drain can inhibit the functionality of your disposal and cause premature breakdowns.

Why Did My Disposal Stop Working?

Your disposal could stop working for electrical issues, breakdowns, drain clogs, overheating, a jammed flywheel, or because it has reached the end of its life. While you can inspect your system to diagnose the cause of a breakdown, the best way to get to the bottom of the problem is by calling professionals for inspection and repairs. 

What Is the Cost of Garbage Disposal Replacement?

Garbage disposal replacements range in cost depending on the size, power, and installation needs of your new system. Call King’s Services for a free quote on any garbage disposal repair or replacement job.

Enlist Expert Plumbing Repair From King’s Services

Whether you’re dealing with plumbing problems in old homes or malfunctions in a newer house, King’s Services offers the premier plumbing repair and replacement services in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. Avoid accidental injuries or damage to your system by calling our experts to inspect your garbage disposal. A professional plumber from King’s Services can protect your home’s systems.

Still wondering, “Why is my garbage disposal not working?” Call (431) 813-5843 and request a free quote from King’s Services today.