The garbage disposal is one of the most important kitchen appliances for maintaining clean sinks and an odor-free home. Nevertheless, their useful life is finite, and a replacement will be necessary at some point. You’ll find it much easier to prevent plumbing problems and keep your kitchen functional by knowing the indicators of a failing garbage disposal and when to replace it.
It Keeps Clogging
Clogs every once in a while are natural and usually clear away with some basic cleaning methods, but clogs that won’t go away suggest a bigger issue. It could be that the disposal blades are losing some of their sharpness and efficiency with each use, making them less useful in chopping food. This could lead to food accumulation, causing clogs to occur more frequently.
If you keep having to deal with a blocked disposal even after using it correctly and cleaning it regularly, replacing it is a good idea. Thanks to their stronger motors and sharper blades, today’s garbage disposals can grind through a lot more tough food debris without becoming clogged.
You Hear Strange Noises
Garbage disposals shouldn’t make a lot of noise, but they shouldn’t be completely silent either. The wear and tear on internal components or the presence of foreign items stuck in the unit are common causes of grinding noises.
A replacement may be necessary if the unusual noises persist after you’ve removed more obvious reasons, such as fallen utensils, from the equation. If you ignore a noisy disposal, it’ll do more damage to your plumbing system and make repairs much more expensive.
You Keep Smelling Bad Odors
Aside from being an annoyance, a persistently foul smell coming from your garbage disposal can be a sign that it isn’t doing its job of grinding and flushing away food scraps. With time, garbage disposals lose some of their ability to break down organic waste, which can cause food particles to become trapped in the unit or in the pipes.
If the stink persists after you’ve cleaned and deodorized the disposal extensively, it’s probably because food particles have become stuck in hard-to-reach places. In such a scenario, replacing it is usually your best bet for a spotless, odor-free kitchen.
You Keep Having to Reset It Due to Constant Jamming
Repetitively pressing the reset button indicates that your disposal is struggling to handle typical loads, whereas periodic resets are normal. However, not only can constant resetting cause motor burnout, but it also impedes your kitchen workflow. You should probably replace your garbage disposal sooner rather than later if you find yourself pressing the reset button more than once a week.
You Can See Visible Damage
Check for rust, body cracks and damaged splash guards (the rubber flaps that cover the drain entrance) on the unit. In addition to lowering the disposal’s efficiency, these problems increase the risk of leaks and water damage. Particularly worrisome is rust, which can erode the unit’s structural integrity and contaminate your water supply. To prevent more expensive plumbing problems, replace the disposal as soon as possible if you notice any significant damage.
Water Keeps Leaking From It
Some common causes of garbage disposal leaks include weak connections, cracked or worn-out seals or structural damage to the device. While it is possible to fix small leaks, major or chronic leaks usually mean that the disposal is about to exceed its lifespan.
Unattended water leaks in the kitchen can deteriorate the cabinetry and flooring in no time. Plus, they have the ability to foster conditions that are ideal for mold development. You should think about getting a new garbage disposal if water is collecting under your sink or the disposal continuously leaks.
Understanding Modern-Day Garbage Disposals and Why You Need to Upgrade
If you want your kitchen to have the most up-to-date technology for waste management, buying a new trash disposal is a great investment that will pay for itself in reduced energy costs, better performance and peace of mind. The enhanced grinding mechanisms and stronger motors of newer versions make them suitable for a greater range of food scraps and prevent them from becoming clogged.
Modern disposals are far less noisy than older models, thanks to advancements in insulation and anti-vibration technology. Improving energy efficiency is a goal of many new models, which aim to reduce power consumption without sacrificing performance. To further reduce the likelihood of harm and inadvertent activation, many newer disposals include improved safety measures. Modern models’ increased durability is a result of the high-quality stainless steel parts that make them resistant to corrosion and rust. You can even operate and monitor some high-end models remotely by connecting them to smart home systems.
If you’re having trouble with the garbage disposal in your Las Vegas, NV, home, Loyalty Plumbing can help. We also offer emergency plumbing services, rooter services, water filtration solutions and more. Contact us now to schedule a garbage disposal repair or installation for your home.
