Garbage Disposal Repair
in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia

A garbage disposal can get clogged when food waste or debris prevents water from flowing properly through the drain. Some of the most common reasons for clogs include:

• Unsuitable items being thrown down the drain. (See below, re: Grinding Noises.)
• Too much food going down the disposal at once.
• Running the disposal without enough water.
• Accumulated residue.
• Worn or dull blades.

A grinding noise typically means a foreign object is obstructing the blades. This can be due to utensils, bones, or other hard items that the disposal is not meant to process. You can troubleshoot this issue yourself, but make sure you turn the garbage disposal and power to the disposal off first. If the noise continues after you remove the obstruction, we recommend calling a professional.

A leaky garbage disposal can cause extensive and expensive water damage in your home. Therefore, it should be addressed by a professional as quickly as possible.

If you smell foul odors coming from your garbage disposal, the culprit may be an accumulation of food particles that haven’t been adequately flushed down the drain. Over time, these remnants can decompose, leading to those foul odors.

Thankfully, this can be an easy fix. Regularly clean your garbage disposal with natural cleaning solutions, such as a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of vinegar. This will create a fizzing action that helps break down residue and neutralize odors.

Many modern garbage disposals are equipped with overload protectors that shut the system off if too much debris is sent down the drain. Similarly, inappropriate materials may cause the system to stop functioning. (See above, re: Grinding Noises.) Finally, there may be an electrical issue, meaning no power is being sent to the garbage disposal.

If you’ve checked the power supply and emptied any jams (with the garbage disposal turned off first), and your disposal still won’t turn on, call a professional.