Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Maintenance

Does Your Garbage Disposal Need Maintenance?

 

Regular maintenance on your garbage disposal is essential to keep it working properly without breaking down and requiring costly repairs. Although not a lot of effort is required to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, there are a few signs that may indicate when your garbage disposal isn’t working properly and will require maintenance.

Garbage disposals that frequently get backed up may be clogged and will likely require repairs. Disposals are made to reduce the amount of backup that occurs in the sink and drain, so when backup occurs it is usually an indication that something is wrong with the disposal. Clogs usually occur if a piece of food is jammed inside of the disposal.

If there is a foul or unpleasant smell coming from a clogged disposal it is likely that a clog has been building for quite some time, and the food may be rotting. Turning the disposal on and letting it run for a bit will usually alleviate the problem. However, if water continues to back up in the sink even after turning on the disposal, it is usually time to call in a professional to provide service.

The most obvious sign that your disposal requires service is if it won’t turn on. Although it may seem obvious, it’s not unusual for something to get stuck in the disposal that causes the cord to come unplugged. Some models will also automatically turn off when something is in the disposal that could damage the blades. A tripped breaker may also be the cause of a disposal that won’t turn on. If the power is working and there is still water in the sink that will not go down the drain, it is time to call a professional. This may mean that something very large is stuck in the disposal, and the disposal is unable to break it up.

Even if a garbage disposal is properly draining, it will still require maintenance if it is making a loud or unusual noise. Loud noises may be caused by something like a fork or other piece of silverware falling down the drain. If you have turned off the disposal and there are no foreign objects inside, then the noise may be caused by something more serious that requires service from a professional to fix.

Disposals are typically very reliable when used correctly. However, just like any other household appliance, garbage disposals will sometimes require maintenance and service. Be sure to find a reliable plumber at the first sign of trouble in order to save yourself from costly repairs in the future. If your garbage disposal is in need of maintenance in the Little Rock area, contact Arrow Plumbing at (501) 588-3200 and schedule a service call today!

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