Signs That You Should Replace Your Garbage Disposal

Odd New Noises

If you have heard new or unusual noises from your garbage disposal, this could be a sign of a severe issue. It’s worth checking down the drain with a flashlight for anything that could be blocking the unit.

These unusual sounds could be coming from something as simple as a sneaky piece of silverware slipping down the drain. If you do find something, make sure to remove it very carefully and then test the disposal to see if this has fixed the issue.

If you can’t find anything or the abnormal sounds persist after removing what you found, it’s best to call one of our professional plumbers to check it out!

Unpleasant Odors

While old food can give off some bad smells, a properly functioning garbage disposal shouldn’t cause odor issues. Once you have thoroughly rinsed and ran your disposal, assess whether the unpleasant smell has stuck around. If so, the cause of this could be stubborn pieces of old food stuck in the unit that are refusing to budge.

This can be remedied by calling Swift Services to remove the leftover pieces as long as your unit is not nearing 15 years old. If your garbage disposal is close to this age, it may be time for a new one altogether.

Refusal to Turn On

A garbage disposal that is refusing to turn on could indicate that the unit itself is the issue. You can try to fix this problem by pressing the reset button, as this may be all that’s needed to get it going again. It’s also worth checking your home’s circuit breaker in the electrical panel for any potentially related issues. If none of these troubleshooting tips work, it’s best to call in a plumbing professional in Myrtle Beach, SC. You can call our team at Swift, and we’ll send an experienced garbage disposal technician to assess your situation.

Water Leaks

As your disposal unit gets older, it may begin to develop cracks and could even end up with a serious leak. In this event, the best course of action is to replace the unit as repair service would most likely be much more expensive than the cost of a replacement.

Frequent Use of Reset Button

The reset button is not something that should be pressed regularly for a garbage disposal to work correctly. If you are finding yourself pressing this button frequently to bypass issues with your unit, it is likely time for a full replacement.

Longer Grind Time

If the garbage disposal in your home is fully functional, it should only take a few seconds for the unit to grind up food waste. If you notice that your disposal is taking longer than usual to do its job, this could be a sign of significant aging. You may need to consider a professional repair or replacement. Either the motor or the grind ring will be causing the issue, and identifying this can help guide you toward the best solution.

Garbage disposal motors become gradually weaker with age, and if this is the root of your issue, it’s time for a new unit. If the grind ring seems dirty then cleaning it could do the job. However, if doing this doesn’t help, a unit replacement is your best bet. The grind ring can be replaced, but it would be more cost-effective to invest in a new, fully functional garbage disposal unit instead.