The convenience of a garbage disposal in our kitchens has become an essential part of modern living, effortlessly devouring food scraps and minimizing waste. However, there are moments when this trusty appliance might exhibit unexpected behavior, such as emitting a persistent humming sound while refusing to do its usual job. If you've ever been puzzled by your garbage disposal producing such noises, you're not alone.
In this blog, we'll delve into the common reasons behind the perplexing humming sounds that your garbage disposal makes, including:
We also cover preventative tips and when you should call for professional help. If your malfunction is serious enough to need an expert solution － for instance, in the event of leaks, frequent clogging, or bad smells－ it's best to reach out to a trusted contractor.
If you need garbage disposal repairs or installation, contact the Red Cap Plumbing, Air & Electric team. Our courteous and knowledgeable technicians get the job done right the first time, providing fast and reliable service with an on-time guarantee.
An impeller is the part of your garbage disposal that flushes food waste into the unit's grinding chamber. Part of the impeller is the blades that process the waste for flushing. If there's too much waste to deal with at once, these components can jam and stop your garbage disposal from functioning. If this happens, there will be visible built-up waste or other foreign objects in the disposal.
The motor is your unit's workhorse component. It can overheat from overuse during a short span of time. In that case, it will simply shut off without making a sound. It might be possible to simply wait 10 or 15 minutes to let it cool and then restart it to regain functionality.
On the other hand, it's also possible for the motor to simply jam due to a clog. Your garbage disposal humming but failing to work can indicate this kind of malfunction. If so, just as with a jam in your blades or impeller, clogging material or hard objects will be visible in the disposal.
Wear and tear on the components of a garbage disposal can produce malfunctions. Components that are faulty in other ways － loose attachment of the impeller or mounting assembly, for instance － can have a similar effect.
For example, a loose mounting assembly means your unit isn't properly attached to the sink. In that case, the whole unit will rattle and hum without functioning. If rust builds up in your motor's flywheel, it can fail. If the flywheel wears down and jams, it can produce that humming noise before simply shutting down and tripping the breaker.
One of the best ways to keep your garbage disposal functioning is to avoid overtaxing it. Don't force too much material into it, and once and avoid putting materials in it that it won't be able to handle. That includes coffee grounds, pasta, bones, fruit pits, and other forms of food waste that might be too hard for the blades or might form into sticky, clogging paste in your drains or impeller.
If you want to try clearing a jam or clog on your own, it's important to put safety first. Make sure your unit is disconnected from power before you reach into it: it might reactivate without warning. On some units, the motor is set up to attempt a simple fix using a quarter-inch Allen key. If you have it, you can try to turn the motor with the Allen key to loosen the jam. Restarting it after this can get it functioning again. More serious malfunctions will need professional help.
If components of your unit have worn out or rust has formed on the internals, it will be necessary to replace it. Likewise, if it's impossible to see the cause of a failure, it's usually best to leave the problem to the experts. They can help you to choose equipment that meets your needs and budget and install it quickly and efficiently to lasting standards of workmanship.
If you need to repair or replace a seriously malfunctioning garbage disposal, contact the experts at Red Cap Plumbing, Air & Electric. We treat our clients like family and provide reliable service at honest prices.