Garbage disposals are a useful addition to any kitchen. They make it easy to quickly and conveniently dispose of food scraps, but they can be temperamental when something goes wrong. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to diagnose and fix common garbage disposal problems.
Check the Circuit Breaker
If your garbage disposal isn’t working at all, the first thing you should do is check the circuit breaker. If it’s blown or tripped, it means that too much power is being drawn through it and your garbage disposal won’t be able to function properly. Resetting the circuit breaker should get your garbage disposal back up and running in no time.
Check for Jamming
If your garbage disposal is humming but not actually spinning, the blades may have become jammed due to a foreign object such as an overly large piece of food or a utensil that was accidentally dropped down the drain. To unjam your garbage disposal, turn off the power switch and use an allen wrench to manually rotate the blades until they become free again. Once you’ve done this, try turning on the power switch again—your garbage disposal should now work as normal!
Clean Your Blades Regularly
Regularly cleaning your blades will help keep them free of debris and help prevent jamming in the future. To clean them, simply pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar—the foaming action will help dislodge any stuck-on particles from around the blades so they can spin freely again. Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with hot water. Doing this regularly will help ensure that your garbage disposal remains in good working order for years to come!
The Wrap Up:
Garbage disposals are incredibly handy appliances but can sometimes be finicky when something goes wrong with them. Don’t worry though—most common issues can be easily diagnosed and fixed without needing professional help! All it takes is a bit of troubleshooting (and perhaps some elbow grease) to get your garbage disposal up and running again in no time at all. Tenants should take these steps if their garbage disposals start acting up instead of immediately calling their landlord or property manager for assistance.
