Common Issues that Lead to Garbage Disposal Repairs in Dallas, TX

Don’t you love the convenience of grinding small pieces of food waste that can simply flow down the drain—that is, until you need Dallas garbage disposal repair? In a hot, humid state like Texas, you will rarely find a compost bin in someone’s kitchen. Not only will it decompose fast, but it will also lure fruit flies and spread unpleasant odors throughout the home. It’s hard not to gag at this thought but for this reason, most Dallas homeowners tend to either throw leftover food in the bin or better, build an open pile outside their property, which they treat with nitrogen or carbon to create their own compost for their garden plants.

But what use is it if you don’t have a garden and still want to adequately compost food scraps? Modern buildings have significantly more room under their kitchen sinks to install a garbage disposal, whether you have a house or a condominium. However, not everyone grows up with the convenience of a garbage disposal

If you have one that’s not grinding properly, it could be clogged. There are several ways to investigate and unclog it, but it requires the utmost care and caution. Your certified plumber in Dallas, TX from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Dallas has the experience and tools for garbage disposal repair and fixing other kitchen devices that are connected to a drainage pipe. Of course, it always helps to know how to maintain your device, which is why we will cover more in this blog, along with problems that frequently call for professional repairs.

What Is A Garbage Disposal?

In many Dallas households, you will find it installed under kitchen sinks, between the sink and the p-trap. It consists of many sharp blades designed to grind food waste so that you can safely flush it down your drain. While it has the same function as your regular sink drain, it has similar limitations as to what you can and cannot pour down.

The initial installation isn’t complex and you can do it yourself if you’re familiar with the basics of plumbings. It will require you to rearrange and set up certain plumbing fixtures to integrate them into your daily use. The device comes with many parts such as blades, a grinding chamber, an impeller, and a motor. To attach it to your sink, you require a replacement sink flange, rubber gasket, mounting bracket, and screws.

When Do I Need Dallas Garbage Disposal Repair?

While this kitchen device helps produce less kitchen trash and reduces the smell of decomposing food scraps, many Dallas homeowners fail to take proper care of it by attempting to grind unsuitable food scraps or not cleaning it regularly. That will often lead to a few common problems that require garbage disposal repairs in Dallas TX.

Foul Odors

Have you been cleaning your device regularly? If so, you should not worry about unpleasant food waste odors. If odors don’t go away after a white vinegar and baking soda treatment, it’s likely your drain pipe itself. Check if your regular sink drain is releasing the same odor or if your p-trap might be clogged. We don’t recommend using Drano, as its chemicals are corrosive to metals. This could lead to early pipe repairs if not replacements. Instead, have your local plumber inspect your sink drain and plumbing system. Perhaps it’s time for a drain cleaning service as well. All that will help keep your secondary drain lines spotless, enabling your plumbing fixtures to work properly.

Stubborn Clogs

If someone in your family never finishes their meals and has not been taught what this device can or cannot grind, you will find yourself requiring more Dallas garbage disposal repairs than anyone else. Clogs can cause frequent jams, no matter how carefully you grind small pieces of food scraps. If you have more people in your household, you might need to upgrade to a bigger model with a stronger motor. However, if you have a decent size device, but these problems still persist, it might be time to replace it unless repair options are available.

Leaks

Dallas garbage disposal repair is often about a leaking device under the kitchen sink. It may take time to troubleshoot this situation, as you need to investigate what triggers that leak. Whether it is a simple clog, a faulty part of your garbage disposal itself, or a faulty sink flange that needs a new seal, it’s not always easy to determine. While you can repair it with some plumber’s putty, if you’re unsure of the actual cause of the problem, it’s better to have a professional technician inspect it for you, in case there's an issue where repair might not be a long-term solution.

If you find it unsafe to investigate the cause on your own, your best option is to schedule an appointment with Mr. Rooter Plumbing for reliable garbage disposal repair in Dallas TX. Homeowners shouldn’t put their fingers at risk! We understand that disconnecting mounts to reach the flange and repairing other issues can be confusing and tricky. A professional plumber is more familiar with different models and necessary repair options for each garbage disposal type, so they can more safely and efficiently complete Dallas garbage disposal repairs.

Whirring Sounds

Whirring or humming sounds could mean that something is preventing your impeller plate or flywheel from turning correctly, or your motor is still running even when nothing else is working. If that continues, the motor will burn out or trip a breaker.

Frequent Resets

Do you find yourself pressing the reset button every time you use your unit because it’s not turning on? You should only have to reset it when it doesn’t turn on or is recovering from a clog that requires you to turn off the circuit breaker while unclogging. If you find yourself using that reset button more than usual, it might be a sign it has reached its lifespan. A plumber can double-check whether it’s an electrical issue before determining the ultimate root problem.

Troubleshooting: Dallas Garbage Disposal Repair at Home

No one in Dallas knows your kitchen system as well as you do and usually your plumber has to examine everything in more detail to understand the problem that you’re experiencing. But you called your plumbing experts for a reason; because we provide you with fast results that won’t have you exposed to any safety hazards. If you are a DIY expert, you likely want to get down to the root problems yourself, in case only simple repairs are needed. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

When it’s making humming sounds as though slowed down:

If that happens, try to locate your unit’s hex socket on the underside of your garbage disposal. That socket is connected directly to your impeller. Inserting an Allen key (hex key) into that socket and turning it should free up the blades and dislodge whatever is causing them to jam. While that is a typical DIY repair solution, an alternative includes using a wooden spoon handle to reach down through your drain opening and dislodge a stuck impeller plate by pushing any solid items out of the way.

Slow draining:

Food particles can collect over time and cause slow draining. It’s possible you have a clogged kitchen sink that contributes to this problem. In that case, try using a plunger to clear the blockage. You can also use the Allen key again, like in the previous point, to rotate the blades back and forth to break any potential clogs.

If your garbage disposal shares the same drain line as your dishwasher, see if you have a check valve installed to prevent dirty water from back flowing into your dishwasher. Ensure the drain hose and air gap aren’t clogged.

It’s leaking from the top:

The impact of vibrations from grinding can loosen the mounting flange that holds the unit to the sink opening. To tackle this issue, turn off the unit and the corresponding switch on your circuit breaker. Use a flashlight to locate the mounting ring. Next, turn the garbage disposal counter-clockwise to detach it from the mounting flange. Once you have removed some bolts, you should be able to lift the flange and clean it before applying a new layer of plumber’s putty around the top. Reattach the unit to see if this has solved the problem.

It’s leaking from the bottom:

Unfortunately, this indicates two major issues—either your seal is broken or there’s a crack in the unit, which means that you have to replace it. It’s worth calling the manufacturer if you have a warranty.

To stop this problem from getting worse, follow the same procedure by turning off the unit and your circuit breaker before taking any further steps. Place a bucket underneath it as you disconnect it from the mounting bracket, using an Allen wrench. If you don’t remove it right away, water will continue to flow out. Once detached from your sink, remove any nut connector and wiring from the unit.

No More Dallas Garbage Disposal Repairs Here’s How To Keep It Clean!

Garbage disposal repair in Dallas TX may not always fix every issue, but there are preventative maintenance tips that will help you take better care of your grinding units. Regular cleaning will reduce the early risks of wear and even prevent other plumbing issues.

• Clean Your Gasket: It’s also known as the splash guard—a plastic piece with grooves and crevices near the top of your kitchen sink drain. Some designs vary, depending on the type. You can remove that piece and clean away slime or debris with antibacterial soap or other types of degreaser.
• Remove Food Debris: Food always gets stuck in the blades. After removing the gasket, use a flashlight to check your sink opening. Chances are, debris and mineral deposits are trapped on the pipe walls. Use pliers or tongs to remove any solid items that haven’t flushed down, but never use your fingers. The system might be turned off, but the garbage disposal blades are still sharp.
• Use White Vinegar and Baking Soda: This natural home remedy for cleaning never gets old! You probably have unclogged or cleaned sink drains on your own in Dallas and know the powerful synergy between white vinegar and baking soda. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a cup of vinegar. The fizzing carbon dioxide gas clears away built-up sludge in drain openings. Lastly, run warm water to flush.
• Grind Ice Cubes and Salt: After reinstalling the gasket, you can continue to clean the blades, loosen up more debris, and keep the blades sharp with ice and salt. Just turn the power back on and pour one or two cups of ice down, followed by one cup of salt. Grind everything away until all the ice is gone.
• Grind Some Citrus Peels: Grinding thin slices of lemon, orange, or lime peels will freshen up your system and remove any unpleasant odors.
• Cold Water: Fill up your sink with cold water by plugging in your sink stopper. Then, pull the sink stopper out and turn the disposal unit on. This procedure will force any loose debris that is in the drain to flush away. Ideally, you commit to this cleaning routine once a month.

Get Dallas Garbage Disposal Repair Services from Your Local Plumber!

We hope you managed to gain a deeper insight into your drainage pipes and garbage disposal’s mechanism. If you notice any inconsistencies in the performance that might need repair or just haven’t had drain cleaning services in a while, then it's time to call the pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Dallas for help. Whether you have clogged drains or other kitchen plumbing problems, we have you covered.

Our team of experts will use the most cutting-edge technology to establish if you have a leak or a crack and offer the best and most cost-effective plumbing repair solutions. Each of our professional, licensed plumbers has years of experience, in-depth training, and access to the best tools to quickly and efficiently solve your plumbing problems. In fact, we've helped numerous homeowners across Dallas, from University Park to Preston Hollow and beyond.

Give us a call to chat with our friendly customer service reps and let us know how we can meet your needs for Dallas plumbing repair, Dallas drain cleaning, and other plumbing services.