If your garbage disposal has been acting up, you may be wondering what you can do to troubleshoot it. Here are some tips for how to determine why your garbage disposal is not working and how to fix it. There are also some things to know about what NOT to put down your garbage disposal.
First, let’s cover what NOT to put down your garbage disposal. Any type of food waste can cause problems for your garbage disposal and eventually lead to clogs. Avoid putting things like coffee grounds, eggshells, grease, bones, fruit pits, or stringy vegetables down the disposal. These items can get caught in the blades or cause other issues.
There are some items that are safe to put down your garbage disposal. These include:
- Small amounts of food waste
- Soap and water
- Ice cubes
- Cubes of bread
If your garbage disposal is clogged, one way to try and clear it is to use a plunger. Put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down. This can help loosen any debris that is caught in the blades. You can also try using a plumbers’ snake if the plunger does not work. You can also try running some hot water down the drain to help loosen any debris that is caught in the blades. If neither of these methods work, you may need to call a plumber.
If your garbage disposal starts making strange noises, it could be an indication that something is caught in the blades. If you hear a grinding noise, this is usually a sign that there is something hard, like a rock or piece of glass, caught in the disposal. Do not put
your hand down the drain to try and remove whatever it is. This could be very dangerous. Instead, try using a pair of tongs to reach down and remove the object.
If your garbage disposal is still not working after trying a plunger, you may need to check the reset button. Oftentimes, if the disposal is overloaded, it will trip a switch that turns it off. Locate the reset button (usually located at the bottom of the unit) and press it. If this does not work, you may need to call a professional.
These are just a few tips for troubleshooting your garbage disposal. With a little elbow grease, you may be able to get it working again in no time! But if not, don’t hesitate to call BM Sewer. We will be able to help you figure out what the problem is and get your garbage disposal working like new again.
