A clogged drain often indicates your garbage disposal, a common kitchen appliance, is experiencing issues. The Insinkerator brand is well-known, but even their models can encounter problems; specifically, my garbage disposal is humming can be a sign of motor trouble. If you hear that telltale hum but the blades aren’t turning, you might need a specialized wrench to dislodge an obstruction. Should troubleshooting fail, consulting a local plumbing service guarantees professional assistance with potential repairs.
Image taken from the YouTube channel Product Probes , from the video titled How To Fix A Broken Garbage Disposal (Humming or Buzzing) .
My Garbage Disposal is Humming: A Quick Guide to Troubleshooting
A humming garbage disposal typically indicates an obstruction. This guide walks you through common causes and safe solutions so you can get your disposal working again. Remember to always prioritize safety and disconnect power before attempting any repairs.
1. Safety First: Disconnecting the Power
Before you even think about touching your garbage disposal, make sure it’s safe.
- Flip the Breaker: Locate the circuit breaker that controls your garbage disposal (check your breaker box label). Flip the breaker to the "off" position. This is the safest way to ensure there’s no electricity flowing to the unit.
- Double Check: Even with the breaker off, it’s a good idea to test that the disposal is truly off before proceeding. Carefully try to turn the disposal on using the switch. If it doesn’t power up, you’re good to go.
2. Identifying the Cause of the Humming
The humming sound usually means something is stuck and preventing the motor from turning. Here are the most common culprits:
- Food Scraps: Hard or fibrous foods like bones, fruit pits, and celery stalks are frequent offenders.
- Foreign Objects: Utensils (spoons, forks), bottle caps, glass shards, or small toys can accidentally fall in.
- Built-up Grease: Grease solidifies and clogs the system, preventing proper movement.
3. Common Solutions: Clearing the Jam
3.1 Using Tongs or Pliers
This is your first line of defense for retrieving visible obstructions.
- Visual Inspection: Look inside the disposal chamber with a flashlight.
- Remove the Object: Carefully use tongs or pliers to grab and remove any visible food debris or foreign objects. Never use your hands.
3.2 The Wooden Dowel (or Broom Handle) Method
This is a safe way to manually turn the impeller.
- Insert the Dowel: Place a wooden dowel (or the handle of a wooden spoon or broom) into the disposal chamber.
- Jiggle and Rotate: Gently push and wiggle the dowel to try to dislodge whatever is blocking the impeller blades. Apply gentle pressure and attempt to rotate the blades back and forth.
- Remove Debris: If you feel movement, continue working the dowel until you can remove any freed-up debris with tongs.
3.3 Resetting the Overload Protector
Most disposals have an overload protector, a small red button located on the bottom of the unit.
- Locate the Reset Button: Find the red reset button underneath the disposal.
- Press the Button: Press the button firmly. You might feel or hear a click.
- Wait: Wait a few minutes to allow the motor to cool down.
- Test: Flip the breaker back on and try running the disposal. If it still hums, repeat steps 3.1 and 3.2.
3.4 Ice and Cold Water
This can help dislodge grease and smaller debris.
- Fill with Ice: Fill the disposal chamber about halfway with ice cubes.
- Run Cold Water: Turn on the cold water at a steady stream.
- Turn on the Disposal: Turn on the disposal and let it run for about a minute. The ice and cold water can help grind away debris and solidify grease, allowing it to be flushed away.
4. Preventing Future Humming Problems
Here’s how to minimize the chances of your garbage disposal humming again:
- Avoid Problem Foods: Don’t put hard items (bones, pits), fibrous foods (celery, corn husks), starchy foods (rice, pasta), or grease down the disposal.
- Run Cold Water: Always run cold water while operating the disposal and for a short time afterward. This helps solidify grease and flush debris.
- Regular Cleaning: Grind ice cubes and citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange) periodically to clean the blades and freshen the disposal.
5. When to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and your garbage disposal is still humming, it’s time to call a qualified plumber or appliance repair technician. There could be a more serious issue, such as a burnt-out motor or a problem with the internal components.
FAQ: Garbage Disposal Humming
Here are some frequently asked questions related to diagnosing and fixing a humming garbage disposal. Hopefully, this clarifies any issues you’re experiencing!
What does it mean when my garbage disposal is humming but not grinding?
A humming noise, but no grinding, almost always indicates something is stuck inside the garbage disposal. The motor is trying to turn but is blocked, hence the hum. This is common when items like silverware, small bones, or fruit pits get lodged in the mechanism.
How do I safely check if something is stuck in my garbage disposal?
Important: Turn off the power to your garbage disposal at the breaker! Never put your hand inside. Use tongs or pliers to carefully remove any visible obstructions. A flashlight helps. If you can’t easily reach the item, consult a qualified plumber.
What if I remove the obstruction, but my garbage disposal is still humming?
Even after removing the obvious blockage, there might be a smaller, unseen obstruction. Try using garbage disposal wrench (or Allen wrench) to turn the motor from underneath. Sometimes a bit of force is all it takes to dislodge the issue and resolve why my garbage disposal is humming.
Is it safe to keep using my garbage disposal when it’s humming?
No. Continuing to run your garbage disposal while it’s humming can damage the motor. The motor is working overtime to try to turn, which can lead to burnout. Stop using it immediately and follow the steps outlined to resolve the blockage.
So, next time you hear my garbage disposal is humming, don’t panic! Give these tips a try and hopefully, you’ll have it fixed in no time. Happy disposing!