Signs You Need a New Garbage Disposal
Now that it’s the start of a new year, it’s time to plan the improvements you want to make to your home. Here’s an easy one that you may not have thought of: contact professional plumbers to install a new garbage disposal.
“But how do I know I need a new disposal?” That’s a good question. Aside from the garbage disposal breaking down on you entirely, there are warning signs that will tell you the time has come to replace your aging garbage disposal with a new unit.
You need to frequently hit the “reset” button
The reset button located on the bottom of a garbage disposal unit pops out when there is too much strain placed on the motor. Basically, it’s a circuit breaker. You only have to press it down to get the motor working again. However, this shouldn’t be something that occurs a few times a week. If it’s happening that often, the motor is starting to fail and it’s time for a new disposal.
Clogs are becoming common
Is the drainpipe connected to the disposal clogging up regularly? It could be trouble down in the pipe (in which case we recommend arranging for drain cleaning). But it might also be that the disposal is no longer grinding down the food effectively. This isn’t due to “dull blades,” since the disposal doesn’t even use blades. The best solution is a new garbage disposal.
Food grinding is too slow
If you are running the disposal for longer to clear out the hopper (the main chamber), then it indicates the unit is close to the end of its service life due to wear and tear.
Major, expensive leaks
Leaks around the sink flange of the disposal or in other places can be repaired—but often these repairs cost more than installing a new disposal altogether. If your sink disposal is more than 10 years old and leaking starts, it’s more cost effective to replace it than to repair it. Ask your plumber about the best options.
Bud Matthews Services offers plumbing and appliance services in Durham, NC. We’re here for all your home service needs!
We recognize that our services are of a special and often emergency nature, and we remain fully committed to fulfilling the needs of our community even as potential demand for our services may increase with more families either choosing to or being required to remain home for extended periods of time. More importantly, the safety of our employees and customers is always our highest priority, and we recognize that heightened diligence and focus on health and safety is required during these challenging times. We are actively monitoring updates from the CDC, WHO and local health officials; and we have been proactively and continually implementing measures and developing plans to prioritize the health and well-being of our employees and customers. Including:
- Equipping all technicians with masks, gloves, and disinfectants.
- Social distancing – Avoid handshakes and limit direct contact with customers during their visit.
- Requiring technicians to clean all surfaces with disinfectants before and after performing work.
- Requiring all employees to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing or fever.