Garbage Disposals and Problems It Can Have

Garbage disposals are an essential kitchen appliance that reduces the amount of food waste in your trash and improves your kitchen’s environmental footprint.

Although these appliances are a great help, they can also cause a number of problems. Some are easy to fix, but others may require a professional. An emergency plumber in Melbourne can repair damaged or leaking disposals. Be sure to address any issues before they become an emergency plumbing situation.

Clogged Drains

Garbage disposals and drains are two of the main parts of your home that work hard to keep your house running smoothly. They are responsible for removing waste from your kitchen sink, and they have to do it without leaving any clogs.

Food scraps, fats, oils, and grease from cooking or cleaning can cause a clog in your garbage disposal. They liquify when they are processed by the disposal and then cool and stick to the walls of the pipes.

If you think your drain is clogged, you can try using a plunger to unclog it. Just fill the sink with hot water, place the plunger over the drain, and pump it up and down a few times.

Another way to clear a clog is to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. This is a natural unclogging solution that doesn't degrade the plastic parts of your garbage disposal, which are sometimes prone to rusting when you use harsh chemical cleaners on them.

Overloaded Drains

One of the biggest problems you can have with your garbage disposal is an overloaded drain. This happens when you use it to grind up items that it isn’t designed for, such as coffee grounds or egg shells.

Grease and oil can also clog your drain. They are not easily washed away, so they cling to the sides of your pipes and act as an adhesive.

Some food scraps can also clog your drain, including potato peels. They expand and stick to the sides of the pipe, forming a gluey starch that slowly blocks your drain.

Overloaded drains can be difficult to fix, so be sure to call us for help if you notice that your drain isn’t flowing properly. We’ll work with you to find the source of the problem and repair it as soon as possible.

Leaking Drains

A leaking disposal is an extremely annoying problem to have and can cause a lot of damage to your home. It is a good idea to call a plumber right away because they are trained to repair this issue effectively.

The most common reason for a garbage disposal to leak is from its flange or

connection to the sink drain. The flange is typically sealed with plumber's putty, but as time passes, it tends to loosen or corrode causing the water to seep into the sink and the disposal.

Usually, there are two connections on the side of your garbage disposal; one that connects to the sewer and the other that connects to the dishwasher. Check to make sure the hoses are not cracked or that the rubber gaskets inside are still in good condition.

Another common sign of a clogged drain is that you start to smell the pungent odor of raw sewage. This odor is toxic and can lead to headaches, nausea and vomiting, so it's important to fix the problem soon.

Noisy Drains

If your garbage disposal has started to make a lot of noise, it’s likely something has been clogging it up. It’s important to get this taken care of as soon as possible so that it doesn’t lead to larger problems down the road.

The first thing you need to do is unplug the unit and turn off the power. This will allow you to reach into the drain with pliers and remove whatever it is that is making the noise.

Sometimes, a foreign object that was accidentally dropped into the disposal is what is causing it to make these loud sounds. If this is the case, you will need to remove it from the sink and dispose of it.