If your garbage disposal lets you down, there are a number of steps you can take to fix it yourself. If it hums, leaks, or does nothing, there are steps to take before calling the plumber.
You can have a look at the reset button. It is most likely on the bottom of the disposal, and is probably red. Push it, then give the grinder a try. It may be ready to work for you again.
Sometimes the motor hums but nothing happens. In that case, it may be jammed. There is usually a hex-shaped hole at the bottom of the disposal. You can insert the proper size hex wrench and turn the unit back and forth to free up the jam. That could be the cure.
If your disposal does nothing when the switch is thrown, not even making a noise, you should check the connections. The disposal unit is often plugged in to an ordinary socket under the sink. You could try plugging some small electrical item in to the same socket, to be sure it works. You can check the breakers, fuses, and switches, of course. You may find the problem there.
A leak may indicate an internal problem that will likely mean a replacement is needed. But check first by locating the leak. It may be in the plumbing before or after the unit, and may by fixable by tightening or by replacing gaskets. If the leak is internal, it will probably be cheaper to replace the disposal.
The unit may run, but not process the garbage. The blades may be broken. In that case, it is probably time to replace the garbage disposal. If the disposal seems to operate properly, but the water stays backed up, that is a drain problem. You can check that yourself, of call a plumber if it is beyond your capacity to deal with.
Your disposal should serve well for ten years or more, if you’ve installed and used it properly. But if, after you’ve tried these things, you still have a problem, you will probably want to call in a qualified professional to replace the garbage disposal.
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