A food waste disposer, or grinder, installed under the kitchen sink has become an integral part of the modern home. It greatly facilitates the disposal of food waste, preventing blockages and reducing the volume of garbage. However, like any other device, a disposer can break down and require garbage disposal repair and installation. It is important to know who to contact for help – a plumber or a home appliance specialist? In this article, we will consider the main aspects related to the repair of the disposer, and give recommendations on choosing a specialist.
Main problems with the disposer and their signs
- Doesn’t turn on
- Reasons: Power supply problems, device overload, fuse failure.
- Signs: The disposer does not respond when turned on, there is no noise or vibration.
- Blocked
- Causes: Entry of solid objects, stuck waste, wear of grinding discs.
- Signs: The device makes noise but does not grind waste, strange sounds are heard.
- It’s leaking
- Reasons: Damage to seals, wear of connecting elements, mechanical damage to the housing.
- Signs: Water under the disposer, wet spots or puddles.
- Doesn’t grind waste well
- Causes: Wear of grinding discs, improper use, accumulation of grease and dirt.
- Signs: Waste residues are not completely crushed, the device operates intermittently.
- Smells from the sink
- Reasons: Accumulation of waste, insufficient flushing of the device.
- Signs: Unpleasant smell from the sink, despite the disposer working.
When to call a plumber?
- Water leaks and leaks
- Causes: Leaks are often caused by problems with connections and seals that need to be replaced or sealed. A plumber has the experience and tools to fix leaks.
- Actions: The plumber will check the condition of all connections, replace damaged seals and check the tightness of the entire system.
- Blockages in the system
- Causes: Blockages can occur both in the disposer itself and in the pipeline to which it is connected. Plumbers specialize in removing blockages and cleaning pipes.
- Actions: The plumber will diagnose the system, determine the location of the blockage and eliminate it using professional tools.
- Connecting a new disposer
- Reasons: Installing a new appliance requires proper connection to the plumbing system and drain. Plumbers have the necessary knowledge to carry out such work.
- Actions: The plumber will install and connect the new disposer, ensuring that it operates properly and does not leak.
When to contact a home appliance specialist?
- Electrical problems
- Reasons: Problems with the power supply, malfunctions in the electronics of the disposer require the intervention of a specialist in household appliances.
- Actions: The technician will check the wiring, repair or replace faulty components, ensuring the safe connection of the device to the network.
- Mechanical faults
- Reasons: Breakage or wear of grinding discs, motors and other mechanical parts of the disposer.
- Actions: The technician will diagnose the device, replace worn or damaged parts, and adjust the operation of the mechanisms.
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Reasons: Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your disposer.
- Actions: The technician will clean the device, check the condition of all its parts and perform the necessary maintenance.
How to choose a specialist?
- Recommendations and reviews
- Recommendations: Ask your friends and neighbors for advice. Reviews on specialized sites and forums will help you evaluate the quality of the specialist’s work.
- Actions: Read reviews and ratings of specialists, select several candidates and clarify their experience and qualifications.
- Licenses and certificates
- Reasons: Licenses and certificates confirm the qualifications of a specialist and his right to perform certain types of work.
- Actions: Make sure that the selected specialist or company has all the necessary documents and licenses.
- Cost of services
- Reasons: The cost of repairs may vary depending on the complexity of the work and the qualifications of the specialist.
- Actions: Request preliminary estimates of the cost of repairs from several specialists and compare their offers.
- Guarantees for work performed
- Reasons: A guarantee for the work performed provides additional confidence in the quality of the repair.
- Actions: Check the warranty conditions with the selected specialist or company, and sign a contract for the work to be performed.
Conclusion
Repairing a garbage disposal under the sink requires a professional approach and the right choice of specialist. Depending on the nature of the problem, it is worth contacting a plumber or home appliance specialist. Regular maintenance and timely troubleshooting will help extend the life of the device and ensure its reliable operation. Do not forget about the importance of recommendations, licenses and warranties when choosing a specialist to repair your garbage disposal.