Garbage disposals are a wonderful convenience for any homeowner. If you’re washing dishes and a little bit of food happens to go down the drain, you don’t have to worry about clogs. All you have to do is flick the switch for your garbage disposal, and it will take care of the food debris in a matter of seconds. Chores and cleaning up couldn’t be easier!
But unfortunately, your garbage disposal doesn’t always function the way it should. For instance, one common problem homeowners experience is garbage disposal humming. This humming is often indicative of another problem that may need to be addressed by a professional. Here are causes and solutions for garbage disposal humming:
Why Is My Garbage Disposal Humming?
The most common cause behind garbage disposal humming is a jam. Sometimes, pieces of food may get stuck between the blades and the drain hole. When that happens, your garbage disposal won’t function properly, and you may notice backups, clogs, or slow drain times.
Another cause behind garbage disposal humming is an object getting stuck inside that shouldn’t be there in the first place. This is very common for households with small children. It’s not unfeasible that a child may throw a small toy or another object down into the garbage disposal as part of an invented game or just from curiosity. If you didn’t see the incident happen, you naturally will start running the garbage disposal after doing dishes or tossing in some scraps, expecting it to work as usual. This results in the toy or other small object getting stuck, causing the annoying humming sound.
Finally, the problem could be an electrical one. Sometimes, your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI/GFCI) outlet may trip. When that happens, your garbage disposal gets cut off from its electrical source. This causes the humming sound you’re hearing.
Solutions to Garbage Disposal Humming
Have you figured out the cause of your garbage disposal humming? If so, you’re ready to learn solutions. Here are the solutions to each of the above problems:
Food Is Jammed In the Disposal: First, turn off your garbage disposal by unplugging it. Then, locate the breaker socket beneath the sink. Place a wrench in the socket and start moving it back and forth. This should force the flywheel of your garbage disposal to turn, and the food caught between the blades and the drain hole will loosen and fall through.
There Is a Toy Or Other Small Object Trapped In The Disposal: Once again, start by cutting off the power to the garbage disposal. Then look inside of the unit to see if there is anything blocking it. If you see an object, use some pliers or tongs to reach inside the garbage disposal and safely remove it.
The GFI Outlet Tripped: Most garbage disposal units have a reset button located at the bottom of them. Try pressing this button, wait a minute, and then turn on your garbage disposal to see if the humming has stopped. If not, you’ll have to start over from the beginning and try to identify the root of the problem.
None of Those Solutions Fixed My Garbage Disposal Humming, So Now What?
If you’ve tried to solve the problem on your own unsuccessfully, it’s time to call a professional. Professionals will be able to diagnose the cause behind your garbage disposal humming quickly, then implement a long-lasting solution. DIYing is not always possible when something goes wrong with your garbage disposal.
We Can Fix Garbage Disposal Humming!
The team at ASAP Plumbing Experts is here to help you maintain the safety and convenience that comes along with modern plumbing and appliances. If your garbage disposal is humming and you can’t figure out the cause or fix the problem on your own, rely on our team for assistance. We’re here for you 24/7, whether your situation is minor or a major emergency. Contact us today!