To help prevent kitchen sink drain clogs or backups, it is vital that the unit and garbage disposal plumbing are in good working order. Objects such as straws, silverware, sponges, and other non-food items can severely damage a garbage disposal. Food items such as fats/grease, bones, or highly fibrous foods like celery can clog a garbage disposal.

Some common problems that may require professional help!

The switch is on - but the garbage disposal will not turn on - If the garbage disposal will not turn on when you flip the switch and you don’t hear the familiar humming sound of the motor, that indicates there may be an electrical problem that is preventing the appliance from getting current.

The Garbage Disposal Hums But Does Not Grind - If the garbage disposal blades won't turn on but the motor makes a humming sound when you flip the switch, it’s an indication that the inner flywheel may be jammed. This will cause the appliance's reset button to pop or the circuit breaker to trip very quickly. Do not continue this for very long, as it can burn out the disposal's motor unless the reset button or circuit breaker shuts things off.

Food or a foreign objects being lodged between the impeller(s) and the shredder ring inside the disposal is usually the cause for the blades not going on and only humming.

Never put your hand/s down into the garbage disposal hopper (grinding chamber).

Disposal Is Leaking - most garbage disposal leaks occur from a number of places on a garbage disposer and most commonly include the sink flange where the disposal connects to the bottom of the sink, the hose that leads from the dishwasher to the disposal, and hose that discharges waste from the disposal to the drain system. The sink flange is the most-common leak problem as the constant vibration of a garbage disposal, over time, can loosen the mounting apparatus that holds the appliance to the sink drain opening.

A Leak at the dishwasher connection - a rubber hose that funnels waste water from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal is also a place where leads frequently occur.

Discharge drainpipe leak – a plastic pipe carries waste water from the disposal to the sink drain trap, and this fitting can leak when the gasket​ get old.

Slow Disposal Drains – Usually when a garbage disposal is draining slowly, it’s because of a food clog, and generally by the same kind of clogging that can slow any sink drain.

If you have garbage disposal problems, have Rooter ProXpress take a look and make repairs or install a brand new one.