Garbage disposals are tough little machines, until they’re not. When yours starts making strange sounds, backs up, or stops working altogether, it can be hard to know if it’s a simple fix or something more serious. Some clogs and jams are easy to handle, but others point to deeper plumbing problems. AZ Family Plumbing in Glendale, AZ helps homeowners figure out what they can handle independently and when it’s time to call in a pro.
Contact AZ Family Plumbing today!
When Your Garbage Disposal Stops Working Completely
A garbage disposal that won’t turn on at all can be frustrating. You flip the switch, and nothing happens—not even a hum. Maybe you can check the outlet and reset the button underneath, but still nothing. At that point, it’s more than a simple clog. You might be looking at a blown motor, wiring problem, or something stuck deep enough to block the flywheel from turning.
This is when a plumber can step in and help you avoid making the problem worse. Trying to take apart the unit on your own could damage the disposal or lead to injury, especially if you don’t know what to expect once you open it up. A professional can safely test the electrical side, check for mechanical failure, and see whether the unit needs a complete replacement or can get away with a repair.
Calling someone at this stage gives you answers fast. You’ll know whether the disposal can be fixed or if it’s time to upgrade. Either way, it saves you from guessing and wasting time with solutions that don’t work.
When the Unit Hums But Doesn’t Spin
If your disposal hums but doesn’t grind, the motor is likely trying to work while something like food waste, a utensil, or a small bone is jammed inside. You might be tempted to fish around and clear it yourself, but that’s where things get tricky.
A plumber can safely check the jam, clear it without damaging the unit, and inspect the internal pieces to ensure nothing is cracked or bent. If something inside did break, they can walk you through the next steps and help you avoid repeat issues in the future.
When You Smell Strong Odors That Won’t Go Away
Every disposal gets a little smelly now and then. That’s just part of having one. But if the smell stays strong even after you’ve cleaned it, flushed it, or used vinegar and baking soda, something else could be going on. You might have food particles stuck below the blades where you can’t reach, or there could be a buildup deeper in the drain line that’s starting to rot.
If the smell gets worse when you turn the unit on or lingers no matter what you do, it could be time to bring in a pro. Sometimes the issue isn’t just in the disposal itself. You might have grease or waste stuck in the P-trap or beyond, which needs to be cleaned out by hand or flushed with tools made for plumbing work.
This kind of cleaning goes deeper than a typical DIY fix. A plumber can pull the unit, clean the pipework, and even look for signs of small leaks or slow drainage that contribute to the smell.
When You Hear Grinding, Rattling, or Clunking Sounds
Garbage disposals make noise. That’s normal. But if it suddenly starts to sound rough—like metal grinding, rattling, or clunking—you should stop using it right away. That sound usually means something hard is bouncing around inside, or a piece of the disposal itself has come loose. Either way, running it while it makes that sound can quickly turn a minor problem into a full breakdown.
Sometimes the issue is a foreign object, like a coin or a small utensil that dropped in and got lodged. Other times, the blade plate could be off balance, or a mounting bolt could have worked itself loose. Whatever the cause, running it while it rattles can crack the housing or throw off the alignment of internal parts.
A plumber can take the unit apart without causing more damage, remove the object if there is one, and inspect the moving parts to see what needs repair. That’s a safer, cleaner, and more effective way to get your disposal back to normal.
When the Unit Leaks Under the Sink
Leaks can sneak up on you. One day your sink looks fine, and the next you’re mopping up water from under the cabinet. If the leak comes from the disposal, it could be a loose seal, a cracked casing, or a problem with the mounting flange where the unit connects to the sink.
You might be tempted just to tighten everything up, but leaks from a disposal don’t always come from a single easy-to-fix spot. Water could be dripping from the top, middle, or bottom. If it’s coming from the bottom, the internal seal could be gone, which usually means the whole unit needs to be replaced.
A professional can figure out exactly where the water is coming from and fix the issue without damaging your pipes or connections. That matters, especially if your cabinet space is tight or your disposal was installed along with a dishwasher or other kitchen plumbing.
When Your Disposal Keeps Tripping the Reset Button or Breaker
If your disposal runs for a second and then shuts off, or if you’re constantly hitting the reset button to get it going again, that usually means something inside the unit is wearing down. It could be overheating, pulling too much power, or shorting out because of moisture inside the housing.
The reset button is a safety feature, but if you use it more than once every few months, that’s a sign the unit isn’t handling regular use the way it should. It might restart for now, but it’s likely to stop working again soon. A plumber can test the electrical draw and check the condition of the wiring, motor, and internal seals. If moisture is getting in where it shouldn’t, or if the motor is failing under load, it’s safer to get a replacement than to keep resetting the unit. That way, you won’t risk losing power to the whole kitchen or damaging your electrical system.
When You’re Replacing Other Parts of Your Kitchen Plumbing
Sometimes your garbage disposal works fine, but you’re making changes to the sink, faucet, or drain setup. If you’re switching out the sink basin, adding a new faucet, or remodeling the counters, your disposal might need removal and reinstalled properly to fit the new layout.
Doing this without a plumber can cause alignment problems or create leaks where the flange meets the sink. It can also affect how water drains through the rest of the system if the connections aren’t installed at the right angles.
When You’re Dealing With Repeated Clogs or Slow Draining
One slow drain isn’t always a big problem, but if your disposal backs up regularly, or if your sink drains slower than it should, even after cleaning the trap, there could be a deeper clog. Food waste can get stuck farther down in the pipes, especially if grease or starchy materials like rice or potato peels were washed down over time.
A plunger or baking soda won’t fix a clog that’s deep in the line. And if the clog affects more than one part of your kitchen plumbing, it could even be inside the wall. That’s not something you want to dig into on your own.
Plumbers have the tools to clear these kinds of clogs safely and without damaging the disposal or the pipes. They can also let you know if the disposal is contributing to the problem, like if it’s not breaking food down enough to pass through the drain.
Get Pro Help to Tackle Your Garage Disposal Today
Whether it’s a clog, a leak, or a full-blown breakdown, knowing when to call for help saves you from bigger problems down the line. For fast, friendly plumbing help, schedule a service with AZ Family Plumbing and get your sink back in action. We also offer drain, sewer, water heater, water treatment, water softener, and hydro-jetting services for homeowners and commercial property owners. We offer 24-hour emergency repair service for those plumbing issues that just can’t wait.
