When Should I Replace My Garbage Disposal?

Garbage disposal should last up to 12 years, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). But, like any appliance, how you treat it determines whether it lives longer—or shorter—than the average lifespan.

Wondering if it’s time to ditch your disposal?

Well, you should replace your garbage disposal if you see these 5 signs:

1. It clogs often (either the blades are getting dull, or you need a larger disposal)
2. You have to press the RESET button often
3. Food takes longer and longer to grind
4. The unit is leaky
5. The unit is making loud noises

We’ll explain each of these 5 signs and why they indicate that you need a new garbage disposal.

Replace your garbage disposal when…
 

1. It Clogs Often

If your garbage disposal is constantly clogging, it most likely either means that 

1. The blades are getting dull 
2. Your garbage disposal is too small

You see, when the disposal blades can’t properly break down food, large particles will either clog the disposal itself or create a clog further down in the sink’s drain pipes.

Another reason your disposal might be clogging often is because it’s undersized for your needs. Garbage disposals are sized by their horsepower. The higher the horsepower, the more food it can break down in one sitting. So, if your garbage disposal is constantly clogging and you need to replace it, look into installing a bigger model.

Not sure what size you should get? Use our garbage disposal sizing guidelines below:

• 1-2 person household: 1/3 or ½ HP motor
• 3-6 person household: ½ to ¾ HP motor
• 5-8 person household: minimum HP is ¾ but a 1 HP motor is best
• 8+ person household: 1 to 2 HP motor

2. you have to press the RESET button often.

Your reset button is the small red button on the bottom of the actual disposal unit. This button restores the electrical power after the disposal’s motor overloads and trips the circuit breaker.

View from the bottom of a garbage disposal.

So, if you find yourself having to use the RESET more and more, it’s a sign that your garbage disposal motor is getting weaker and needs to be replaced.

3. food starts to take longer to grind.

If the amount of food you’re sending down the disposal hasn’t changed but the time your disposal takes to grind down the food gets longer and longer, you probably need a new unit.

This means that either the blades are getting dull, or the motor is getting weak and can no longer handle the workload it was designed for.

4. the bottom of the unit is leaky.

If you’ve noticed persistent leaking at the bottom of your garbage disposal, it typically means that there are cracks on the inside of the unit. These cracks can occur over time from normal wear and tear and the only way to fix the problem is to completely replace the unit.

5. the unit makes loud humming noises but doesn’t churn.

If your garbage disposal hums loudly but doesn’t actually turn on, it’s most likely due to a dead motor.

If you hear a humming noise coming from your garbage disposal, it means that it is getting electricity, but the motor is not working and cannot turn on to grind up food. Sometimes it costs as much to fix the motor as it does to get a new garbage disposal. In this case, it might be a good idea to just get a new one.

Need a plumber in the Denver metro area?

At Plumbline Services, we are ready to help Our plumbers can assist with a wide variety of plumbing issues, including garbage disposal repair and replacement.