Sink Food Disposal Not Working

A garbage disposal is a convenient appliance that can be used to get rid of food scraps and other small items. However, like any other appliance, garbage disposals can occasionally malfunction. If your sink food disposal is not working, there are several things you can check before calling a plumber.

1. Check the power. The first thing you should check is whether or not the garbage disposal is getting power. Make sure that the power cord is plugged into an outlet and that the circuit breaker or fuse has not tripped. You can also try resetting the garbage disposal by pressing the reset button, which is usually located on the bottom of the unit.

2. Check for blockages. If the garbage disposal is getting power, the next thing you should check for is blockages. Blockages can be caused by food scraps, grease, or other debris. To check for blockages, remove the splash guard from the top of the garbage disposal and use a flashlight to look inside. If you see any blockages, try to remove them using a pair of tongs or pliers. You can also try running hot water down the garbage disposal to help dissolve any grease or food scraps.

3. Check the flywheel. The flywheel is the part of the garbage disposal that rotates and grinds up food scraps. If the flywheel is damaged or jammed, the garbage disposal will not be able to work properly. To check the flywheel, remove the splash guard from the top of the garbage disposal and use a flashlight to look inside. If the flywheel is damaged or jammed, you will need to replace it.

4. Check the motor. The motor is the part of the garbage disposal that powers the flywheel. If the motor is damaged, the garbage disposal will not be able to work properly. To check the motor, use a multimeter to test the continuity of the motor's windings. If the motor is not getting power, you will need to replace it.

5. Call a plumber. If you have checked all of the above and the garbage disposal is still not working, you should call a plumber. A plumber will be able to diagnose the problem and repair the garbage disposal.