Signs of a Garbage Disposal or Drain Problem

You may notice:

• The sink drains slowly
• Water backs up into the sink
• Bad smells from the kitchen sink
• Gurgling sounds
• The disposal hums but does not spin
• The disposal leaks underneath
• Water leaks under the sink
• The dishwasher backs up into the sink
• The problem keeps coming back after clearing

Sometimes the issue is the disposal itself. Other times, it may be the drain line, dishwasher connection, P-trap, or plumbing under the sink.

Dishwasher and Disposal Connection

Many dishwashers drain through the garbage disposal or nearby sink plumbing.

If your dishwasher is not draining, smells bad, or causes water to back up into the sink, the issue may be connected to the disposal or drain line.

If a new disposal was recently installed and the dishwasher stopped draining afterward, the dishwasher knockout plug may need to be checked.

What Not to Do

Do not put your hand down the disposal.

Do not keep running the disposal if it is humming, jammed, leaking, smoking, or making unusual noises.

Do not keep running water if the sink is backing up or overflowing.

Avoid chemical drain cleaners, especially if the drain is blocked or you may need a plumber to open the line.

What to Check Before Calling

Before scheduling, it helps to notice:

• Is the disposal making noise?
• Does it hum but not spin?
• Is water leaking underneath?
• Is the sink draining slowly?
• Is the dishwasher backing up?
• Did the issue start after something went down the disposal?
• Was the disposal recently installed or replaced?
• Has chemical drain cleaner been used?

A photo or short video of the disposal area under the sink can be helpful.

Garbage Disposal Plumbing Tips

A garbage disposal can be helpful for small food particles, but it is not meant to replace the trash can.

Many kitchen drain problems start when too much food, grease, or fibrous material goes through the disposal and builds up inside the drain line. Even if the disposal grinds something up, that does not always mean it will move smoothly through the plumbing.

What Not to Put Down the Garbage Disposal

Try to avoid putting these into the disposal:

• Grease or cooking oil
• Bacon fat
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Pasta
• Rice
• Potato peels
• Onion skins
• Celery or fibrous vegetables
• Corn husks
• Large amounts of food scraps
• Bones
• Fruit pits or seeds
• Paper towels
• Wipes
• Non-food items

Grease, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, and fibrous foods are especially common troublemakers because they can stick, swell, wrap around parts, or collect inside the drain line.

Better Garbage Disposal Habits

To help protect your kitchen drain:

• Scrape plates into the trash first
• Use cold water while running the disposal
• Feed small amounts at a time
• Let the water run briefly after the disposal finishes
• Avoid dumping large amounts of food at once
• Keep grease and oil out of the sink
• Use a sink strainer when possible

A disposal can help with small scraps, but your drain will usually do better when most food goes in the trash.

When to Call a Plumber

Call a plumber if the disposal is leaking, the sink keeps backing up, the dishwasher is not draining, the disposal will not run, or the kitchen drain keeps clogging.

Shanks Onsite Services can help check the disposal, sink plumbing, drain connection, and shutoff area to recommend the next right step.

Call or text 470-531-3956 with a photo or short video.

Local West Georgia Plumbing • Licensed Master Plumber • Family-owned

Shanks is on it.

CALL/TEXT

SCHEDULE VISIT

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse