Fixing A Garbage Disposal Yourself

There are different problems you may find with your garbage disposal. Maybe it doesn't turn on or it leaks. These are problems that you may be able to fix yourself with a few tricks and tips. Just remember, the cardinal rule of repairing a garbage disposal. You NEVER put your hand into the disposal hopper. Now with that said, let's figure out what's wrong with your disposal.

What if your garbage disposal won't turn on at all. First step? Check and make sure your disposal is plugged in. Try resetting the garbage disposal using the reset button and see if this helps. Next step would be to check the circuit breaker and see if that has been tripped. If these don't fix the problem, maybe you have a faulty switch or faulty disposal. Before you do anything, you will need to turn off the circuit breaker to the disposal and check that the power switch is in the off position. You will need to replace the switch. Turn everything back on and see if this solves your problem.

Another common problem with garbage disposals is that it is leaking. This can occur at many different areas of the garbage disposal and you will have to assess where the leak is coming from before going any further. The most common areas where a leak may occur would be at the sink flange, the dishwasher connection or the sink drainpipe. If the sink flange is where the leak is, you will need to turn off the power to the garbage disposal, then remove the disposal from the mounting flange. Are your mounting bolts loose? If they are, tighten them up. If the bolts are already tight, the problem could stem from faulty plumber's putty. To check this, you will need to loosen the bolts and lift the mounting flange a bit above the sink. Putty can become dried out and crackled and needs to be replaced. Add more putty between the sink and the flange to keep the seal at its best. Tighten the bolts back down and wipe away any putty that oozes out. Reinstall the disposal and turn everything back on. Check again for any leaks.

If the leak is coming from the dishwasher connection, you will need to tighten the clamp or replace the hose. The other possible problem could be the drainpipe is leaking. Check the bolts that hold the disposal to the dishwasher pipe. If this does not work you will need to remove the bolts and replace the gasket. Once you have done all this, your garbage disposal should not be leaking anymore. If the leak is in the actual hose, you will need to replace the hose to repair the problem.