What To Do When You Have A Broken Garbage Disposal

A broken garbage disposal can be a real headache. This is especially true if you rely on it when it comes time to purge your fridge. There are times where you can do some simple troubleshooting to get it working again, but other times you may need to put in a little extra work to fix your disposal. If you find yourself in a situation where you just can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong with your garbage disposal, there are signs that may give you a hint as to what your main issue can be, and this will ultimately help you find the best solution to get it working again.

If Your Garbage Disposal Hums but Won’t Run

One common issue that you may come across is your garbage disposal making a humming sound when you turn it on but not spinning. This can be a result of a jammed flywheel, in which case it’s crucial that you turn your garbage disposal off immediately; running it while the flywheel is jammed puts you at risk of burning out your motor, permanently damaging your unit. If you get to this point, you will need to replace your garbage disposal.

Troubleshooting: First, shut off all power going to the garbage disposal via your breaker. Shine a flashlight at your disposal and see if you can spot anything that may be jamming the wheel, such as a bone or piece of plastic, metal, or other objects that shouldn’t be down there. If you manage to spot something, use a pair of pliers to pull the item out.

Then, use a long stick, such as the handle of a wooden spoon or other utensils, to attempt to dislodge the jammed flywheel. If this works, the flywheel should rotate easily. 

If Your Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn on 

Often, a garbage disposal won’t turn on due to an issue with its power supply. It can also fail to start if you’ve accidentally overloaded it, triggering a reset to prevent damage to the unit. 

Troubleshooting: To start, make sure that the unit is plugged in; you should be able to locate the plug underneath your sink. If your unit is plugged in and still not turning on, locate the reset button underneath the disposal and press it in. Wait until it stays depressed. If your unit still won’t turn on, check your breaker and trip the power source leading to the disposal if necessary. If this doesn’t work, check to see if any wires connecting to the unit are loose. 

If, after all these steps, your unit still won’t turn on, you may be dealing with a broken garbage disposal and may need the services of a professional plumber. 

Get in Touch with the Professionals at Salisbury Plumbing for Your Broken Garbage Disposal

A broken garbage disposal should be addressed immediately, especially if you use it frequently. If you can’t get your unit to start after following the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this blog, get in touch with our experienced plumbers at Salisbury Plumbing. We provide expert services to residents across Utah county, from American Fork to Provo. Schedule an appointment today, or give us a call so that we can get your disposal up and running like new in no time!