Garbage disposal problems and safe fixes

It hums but does not spin

Something is wedged between the grinding plate and the ring. Turn the power off. Most disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom of the unit; work a hex key (often supplied with it) back and forth until the plate turns freely. Use tongs or pliers to remove whatever was stuck, then press the red reset button and try it with cold water running.

It does nothing at all

• Press the reset button on the bottom; the motor's thermal overload may have tripped.
• Check the breaker or GFCI outlet, and the wall switch.
• If it still does nothing, the motor may be done.

It leaks

• At the top (sink flange): the plumber's putty seal has failed; the unit has to be lowered and resealed.
• At the side: the dishwasher hose or the drain pipe connection; tighten the clamp or replace the gasket.
• From the body itself: the internal seals are gone. That means replacement, not repair.

What not to grind

Grease, oil and fat (they cool and clog the line), fibrous scraps such as celery and corn husks, potato peels, eggshells in quantity, coffee grounds, pasta and rice, bones and pits. The City of Newberry warns that grease from any source clogs sewer lines and pump stations. Scrape plates into the trash and use the disposal for small leftovers only, with plenty of cold water.

Disposals and septic

If your home is on a septic tank, the EPA recommends limiting or eliminating disposal use; ground food adds solids that build up as sludge and scum, so the tank needs pumping more often. Septic care.

Repair or replace?

Jams and reset trips are free to fix. A unit that leaks from its body, trips constantly or is more than about ten years old is usually replaced. A plumber or a handy owner can swap one in an hour or two; the electrical connection must be done safely.

Smells

Run cold water and grind a handful of ice, then a few citrus peels. A persistent sewer smell from the sink is a different problem, often a dry or missing trap; ask a plumber.