Is your garbage disposal acting up? A common issue homeowners notice is a humming sound when they turn this appliance on. While this is often a small problem, this sound can sometimes point to a larger problem.
Garbage Disposal Humming: Quick Fix Or Big Problem?
Do you hear a humming sound when you turn on your garbage disposal? The first thing to remember is that this doesn’t automatically mean there is a significant issue with your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals make humming sounds for several reasons. There are ways to troubleshoot the issue yourself before calling in a plumber.
Some common reasons a garbage disposal may hum include:
- Jammed shredding plate
- Motor overheating
- Clogged drain
Let’s dive into each of these more.
Jammed Shredding Plate
If the shredding plate inside the garbage disposal is jammed with food scraps, utensils or other items, it can’t spin properly. When you turn the garbage disposal on, the motor will continue to run, but the blades cannot move. This can create a humming sound, indicating that the garbage disposal is jammed.
Motor Overheating
When the garbage disposal motor is overworked, it can overheat. This usually happens when you put tough food items down the sink, such as bones or fibrous vegetables. An overheated motor will begin humming and may even shut down on its own as a safety precaution.
Clogged Drain
If the shredding plate isn’t jammed and the motor isn’t overheated, the problem could be coming from somewhere other than the garbage disposal. For example, a clog in the drain line can cause your garbage disposal to hum. The clog prevents water from flowing smoothly, which puts a strain on the disposal and can cause it to malfunction.
How to Troubleshoot Your Humming Garbage Disposal
Before contacting a plumber, follow these steps to reset your garbage disposal. However, keep in mind that you should never put your hand down a garbage disposal, even when it’s off.
- Start by turning the garbage disposal off completely.
- Along with flipping the switch to off, you should also turn off the disposal’s power at your circuit breaker.
- Next, locate the small red reset button at the bottom of your garbage disposal unit.
- Press the reset button firmly before turning the garbage disposal back on. For minor issues, such as overheating, this may resolve the problem completely.
- If it still makes a humming noise, shine a flashlight into the drain to check for visible blockages. If you see something blocking the system, use pliers or tongs to remove it carefully.
If your garbage disposal continues to hum after completing these steps, you may have a more serious issue on your hands, such as a burnt-out motor. A more intensive repair or even a replacement may be necessary. Call in a plumber to evaluate it and advise you on the next steps.
Garbage Disposal: Water Comes Back Up Troubleshooting
If water comes back up when you run your garbage disposal, it’s a sign that something isn’t working properly. The most common culprit is a clog in the drain line, the P-trap or the disposal unit.
If you’re handy and want to investigate the problem yourself, there are several ways to troubleshoot why water is coming back up when you run your garbage disposal.
Remember to take safety precautions when doing this, such as never putting your hand in the garbage disposal. It’s also important to note that water coming back up the garbage disposal is different from the garbage disposal leaking water.
Clogged Drain Line
Knowing what’s behind the problem can help you fix it. If the issue is a clogged drain line, it’s typically caused by food particles, grease and other debris that build up and block water from flowing freely.
P-Trap Blocked
If the P-trap, which is the curved section of pipe under your sink, becomes blocked, it can also clog the system and cause water to come back up. Finally, the clog could be located in the garbage disposal unit itself.
To troubleshoot the issue, start by turning off the power to the garbage disposal completely. This includes turning off the garbage disposal on the unit itself and cutting the power off at the circuit breaker. Next, use a sink plunger over the drain several times to attempt to dislodge the clog. It’s important to remember that a sink plunger is different from a toilet plunger.
If none of these troubleshooting solutions work, it’s time to call in a plumber. The most likely scenario is that the clog is deeper in the drain line, and professional assistance is required to locate and resolve it.
What Do You Do When Your Garbage Disposal Smells Like Sewage?
It’s normal for a garbage disposal to have a stinky, food-related smell from time to time. However, if your garbage disposal smells like sewage, this points to a more serious issue than just leftover food.
The most common reason your garbage disposal smells like sewage is because of a clogged drain. Wastewater may be backing up instead of draining. Another culprit could be a dry P-trap, which causes sewer gases to get into your kitchen.
Lastly, ventilation problems, such as blocked or damaged plumbing vents, can cause your garbage disposal to smell like sewage.
If you try the typical solutions to make your garbage disposal smell better and they do not work, it’s time to call in a plumber to help resolve this issue.
Garbage Disposal Tips to Avoid Issues
It’s important to maintain your garbage disposal and use it correctly to avoid problems like leaks, water backing up, humming noises and bad smells.
Several foods should never be put into a garbage disposal because they can cause it to clog. These include:
- Grease
- Oil
- Fat
- Fibrous foods
- Starchy foods
- Coffee grounds
- Egg shells
- Bones
- Fruit pits
Next, you can maintain and extend the life of your garbage disposal by running cold water, rather than warm water, when you use it. Keep the water running for a few seconds after turning off the disposal to ensure everything is flushed through the system.
Another tip is to avoid overloading the disposal. Feed it food scraps slowly to help the blades keep up and avoid overheating.
Lastly, clean your garbage disposal by dropping a few ice cubes into it. Grinding the ice cubes will help knock any remaining food particles off the blades.
A bonus tip is to use your garbage disposal on a regular basis, since lack of use can lead to rusting and corrosion.
If you’re experiencing serious issues with your garbage disposal and can’t troubleshoot it yourself, call in a plumber. This way, you can save yourself time and headaches by enlisting professional help to get your system running smoothly again.
Solve Garbage Disposal Issues With Professional Help
While it is possible to use do-it-yourself methods to fix common garbage disposal issues, larger problems should be left up to the professionals. Garbage disposals should always be approached with caution.
A plumber can get to the bottom of garbage disposal issues, including strange noises, foul smells, water coming back up, leaks and more.
ABC Can Get Your Garbage Disposal Working Again
A garbage disposal that isn’t working can cause huge disruptions in your life. Instead of prolonging the issue by trying to fix it yourself, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our appliance repair pros will efficiently locate the issue and then get to work on making all garbage disposal repairs.
