What should I do when my garbage disposal stops?
Turn the wall switch off, keep your hands out of the disposal and do not take anything apart. If the unit has to be handled, its power needs to be disconnected first. A hum may point to a jam. If it leaks or the sink will not drain, I also look at the plumbing around it.
What does the disposal do when I flip the switch?
A hum, a click and complete silence are three different clues. I also want to know whether the sink is holding water, whether the dishwasher was running and whether the leak is coming from the disposal body or a connection beside it.
If the breaker or reset trips again after it has been reset, stop trying it. Repeatedly powering a jammed or failing disposal can make a small problem harder on the unit.
Why do I check the whole sink setup?
Replacing a disposal will not fix a separate drain blockage or a loose connection. Water under the sink can come from the faucet, a supply line, the drain or the dishwasher hose, so I trace the actual source before deciding what needs to be replaced.
A short video with the sound on can be helpful. Just do not reach inside the disposal or start taking it apart while it is connected to power.
Two more questions homeowners ask me
If this sounds familiar, let's talk it through.
If your disposal has stopped, started leaking or will not drain, give me a call or text me a short video. I can help you narrow down what is going on.