Garbage disposal units have become a popular household product, but nobody talks about them as much as a sink, a faucet, a dishwasher, or so. One way to explain its oblivious status can be that it mostly remains hidden from view unless you check it under the sink area where you fixed it. Nevertheless, nobody seems to recognize its utility and how it makes their life easy, despite being aware of what it takes to handle the amount of food waste an average kitchen produces daily. While the machine doesn’t complain about it and goes on doing its job, people suddenly realize its importance when it starts behaving differently.
More precisely, they worry when it stops functioning or doesn’t perform well. Are you like those people, or do you genuinely care about it? If you know why this device is critical for your kitchen, you cannot miss the telltale signs that indicate it’s time to repair or replace it. Replacement can be expensive, but the availability of new models on the market can be more attractive. You can check a garbage disposal unit from Kraus for an idea. However, if you have recently bought this machine from a store, you may want to opt for repair. Repairing can be an option only when you don’t let any issue with the device flare up. Let’s learn about the common trouble indicators of this device so that you have no confusion in making an informed decision.
Motor giving up
Like any other machine, your disposal system may not turn on or frequently turn off while activated. When this occurs, you want to investigate the connected circuit for power failure. Usually, this happens when the motor has become weak or broken down. Suppose everything is okay on that side. Then, you may consider calling a technician to check the disposal for an accurate analysis of its condition and the underlying cause.
The foul smell saga
Nobody can put up with the kind of odor a unit like this produces. Of course, getting such a smell from grinding the wet food isn’t abnormal. But lingering stink is trouble. Suppose you thoroughly clean and rinse the unit, and the scent doesn’t disappear yet. In that case, it can be wise to seek help from an expert. They can open the appliance and eliminate stuck food items responsible for it. After this, you can begin to use the unit usually. However, it is essential to note that you should not use chemical cleaners while attending to the odor issue yourself. These can be harsh on the plumbing system and affect blades and other parts of the device.
Leakage issue stealing the peace of mind
The connection between the unit and the plumbing system can face water leaks. Often, people fail to notice this problem early on and decide to replace their disposal. As mentioned, you can avoid problems with your unit if you pay close attention to it. Some common areas where leaks can occur include the site under your sink, near the cabinet floor, and under the device itself. Sometimes, it is not easy to understand the real cause of the leakage. You may blame the sink or dishwasher for this. However, if you let a plumber manage this, you can find out the actual pain point, such as the disposal. Contact a professional once you notice a water pool in the above spots.
Clogging frequently for no reason
When it comes to dos and don’ts of taking care of the food disposal system, you frequently hear about things like allowing only small food pieces to pass through the drain. Sometimes, you still face the jamming problem, no matter how small the food fragments have been. You may wonder if you are not cleaning the device properly. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Such clogging indicates that you need a bigger size. In this context, you may have to consider the choice of horsepower, which varies from unit to unit. A large family or elaborate kitchen cooking habits may hint at what you need. In terms of dimension, an average machine can measure up to 15 inches in height and 5-9 inches in width. If the size is okay, you can suspect malfunctioning.
Strange sounds coming up
Put a tiny bit of silverware in the device and listen to the noise it creates. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to execute this. But this is to make you aware that you should check the device if a spoon or something like this has slipped into it accidentally. So don’t delay this investigation when you hear the noise, as the motor can be at risk due to continuous friction. Or, misalignment of the components can also produce terrible noise similar to the previous one when the machine is running. Generally, a few adjustments take care of this quickly.
Reset button asking for frequent attention
The reset button acts like the savior of the garbage disposal when it encounters blockage or leakage. It can help adjust the blades or stop the appliance to avoid more damage. So, whether clogging or overload, you can expect the reset button to respond. But you don’t have to use it often if the device is in good shape. If you have to use this function every time you run the machine, this means the disposal is getting old. Many times, loose wires can also cause this. If you hire an electrician or plumber to investigate this problem, it will be advantageous.
Like these, you can notice signs early on if you wish to maintain your garbage disposal system well and don’t want to get into the hassle of repairing or replacing unless it’s the last step. If you take good care of this, you will need to buy another only when the machine has aged. It can make you feel that you made the proper use of your investment. It is an essential component in any kitchen and deserves your attention, no matter where it remains. So, please don’t ignore it.
