- Foul odors coming from your disposal: Food can become trapped in your unit, forming clogs that begin to rot. Depending on how long you let the food rot will determine whether we’ll need to flush your drain lines or replace the unit’s drain hose. Food that rots can grow mold and spread down the line, and a full replacement will be necessary to prevent it from entering other locations in your kitchen.
- Slow-draining water: If your sink isn’t draining as quickly as it used to, you likely have a clog on your hands. This symptom may not require a total replacement of your garbage disposal; however, it could be a warning sign of a larger issue that needs repair.
- Leaks: Leaks in your garbage disposal’s drain line are problematic. A leaky garbage disposal will cause water damage to the area under your sink if not taken care of quickly. This damage can lead to mold growth which no homeowner wants to have to deal with. Leaks occur either because there is a hairline crack or a small hole in the drain pipe, but they may also be the result of a loose valve.
- Clogs that keep coming back: You used the baking soda and vinegar trick to clear your clogged drain once, but the issue keeps reemerging. While DIY solutions can work temporarily, sometimes they can worsen the situation. Serious clogs can be a sign of buildup in your drain line, but they may also mean that your garbage disposal isn’t grinding properly anymore. Since materials such as eggshell membranes and stringy produce can actually wrap around the grinder and wear down the motor, you may need an entire replacement of your unit.
- Unusual sounds: You’ve run your garburator for years, and you know what its normal sounds are like. When you start hearing different things, it’s probably time for a replacement. You'll hear a garbage disposal hum or buzz when there is no power, and it may grind or rattle if there is an issue with the motor or if there is a jam. Neglecting these issues and pressing on with your disposal may mean you further injure it and will need an entire replacement.
Think you’ve experienced any of these issues? Garbage disposal installation of a replacement unit may be required. But don’t try to take on this tricky task yourself. There are certain safety precautions that need to be followed, as well as a proper way to configure the plumbing connections. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis is highly experienced in and trained in how to handle these garbage disposal services, and we arrive with all the right tools to get the job done quickly.
