You might not want to hear this, but the truth is that garbage disposals don’t last forever. In fact, if you live in your home for 10 – 20 years, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll need to replace your garbage disposal not once, but 2 or 3 times. The garbage disposal is a small kitchen appliance that gets used and abused day after day. So, how do you know when your garbage disposal is ready to be replaced? Keep reading to learn how to spot the signs.
Constant Restarts
Do you feel like you’re always needing to reset the garbage disposal? If this happens once or twice over the course of several months, it’s probably no big deal. You likely just put too much in the disposal and overworked it. However, if this is happening every time you try to use the disposal, it’s time to start looking for a replacement.
It Leaks
The last thing you want is a leaky garbage disposal. If it’s not installed correctly, leaks happen and are fixable. You need to reinstall the disposal and that should fix the problem. Now, if you’ve owned your disposal for many years and it’s suddenly started to leak, that’s a completely different issue. The plumber might be able to fix the seal, but if the disposal is cracked you need to replace the unit.
No Power
It might seem like it’s rather obvious that you need a new garbage disposal when you turn it on and nothing happens. Before you head to the store to buy a new garbage disposal, though, check to make sure the circuit didn’t trip. If you were using a lot of appliances at once to make dinner or bake, there’s a chance you overloaded the circuit and didn’t realize it. Go to the circuit breaker box and check to see if the switch is in the “off” position. If it is, switch it to “on” and try the disposal again. Now, if the circuit is fine, then you probably have a garbage disposal that has already taken its last breath. You need to replace it.
Bad Odors and Frequent Clogs
These 2 issues usually go hand-in-hand with each other. Here’s why. When a garbage disposal clogs frequently, it means that bits of food are getting stuck in the blades or in the drain pipe. Because you can’t get these food particles to move through the drain pipes it starts to smell. If you’re consistently dealing with a clogged garbage disposal, it could be that food isn’t being ground well. Over time, disposals start to lapse in this department and it’s a sign that you need to consider replacing the appliance.
Garbage Disposal Replacement
The good news about replacing a garbage disposal is that they aren’t expensive purchases. Not when you compare them to a new water heater or replacing damaged pipes. Reliable garbage disposals are available for under $300 and will last about 5-7 years. To have your garbage disposal checked out by a licensed plumber, contact The Pink Plumber today!
