Why did my garbage disposal stop working?

Garbage disposals are extremely helpful in today’s kitchens and are used to chop almost all food scraps in the sink drain, which makes cleaning the kitchen a lot easier.  The garbage disposal’s job is to chop, dice, and cut food into small enough pieces for the food scraps to fit through the plumbing.  If your garbage disposal stops working and you don’t know where to start, below are some common reasons that garbage disposals stop working and how to fix the problem.   

Jammed Garbage Disposal

A jammed garbage disposal may occur when something has been put in the disposal that is unable to be chopped up and flushed away.  If this happens, the motor of the garbage disposal will hum but the blades will not continue to spin.  First, make sure that the power is turned off to prevent any damage to the disposal motor.  Once you are sure that the main power source is also disconnected from the garbage disposal, you can use a tool or utensil, such as a wrench, in order to remove the foreign object that caused the disposal to jam. 

Reset Button

Sometimes the garbage disposal may become overloaded from food scraps and simply stop working.  Look beneath the sink at the disposal unit and press the small red reset button.  Most of the time pressing the reset button will make your garbage disposal start work again, but if your disposal does not begin to work after pressing this button, this may indicate a much greater problem with your disposal’s motor. 

Clogged Pipes

Certain hard or coarse food scraps are not meant for the disposal and may get lodged in the disposal if they enter, causing the pipes to become clogged.  The pipes can also become clogged if you do not use enough water to flush the food down when operating the disposal.  If you experience a clog in your garbage disposal, the clog would most likely be in the p-trap under your sink.  After putting a bucket beneath the trap, to fix the disposal you can separate the pipes in order to remove the waste using an auger or other unclogging device. 

Power

If you cannot get your garbage disposal to function at all, then it is possible that there is a lack of power.  First, check that your disposal is connected to an outlet and that the circuit breaker is in the “on” position.  If after completing these actions your disposal still will not work and a tripped breaker switch is not causing the problem, it will be necessary to hire an electrician in order to access the situation since there is most likely a motor or wiring issue with your garbage disposal.  

Why Is My Light Switch Not Working ?!?

 There are a few reason a light switch may not be working. The first thing I would check is the obvious, the light bulb. It may be the bulb and not the actual switch. So it may be a broken light switch, this job requires the replacement of the switch. This can be a DIY project if you know what you are doing and have knowledge of electricity and how it works. If not you can find a local Tampa Electrician. What might seem like a simple fix could become a disaster.
 When I replace a light switch whether it is embossed or not I shut off the switch to the main power supply in my circuit breaker panel box. I unscrew the two screws holding on the switch plate and remove it, then the actual switch from the box. This is where it can get tricky, maybe time to call that Tampa electrician. I like to remove one wire at a time and reattach them as I go to avoid any mix ups. Again if this is something new to you call a local Tampa electrician for advice. After the wires are right I replace all items, return power and check the switch.
 Sometimes the issue is caused by a tripped circuit breaker or a burnt out fuse, depending on the set up. Before purchasing a new switch I always check the circuit breaker or fuse box. The fix may be as simple as turning the fuse back on. Keep in mind that the fused popped for a reason. When it comes to any repairs on a breaker box I call my local Tampa electrician. This job is for the pros and the Tampa electrician comes with training and expertise. A mistake with electricity can be deadly so be safe and smart.

 If you are in Florida and are in need of a local Tampa electrician to help you with a problem check out On Time Electric in the Tampa area @ http://www.mytampabayelectrician.com I know I always feel safer checking with the pros before I start a new Do-It-Yourself project. It is better to be safe than sorry. They do not only serve the Tampa Bay are but surrounding areas as well.  If the repair can't be made by me I know I am in good hands when it can be done by them. Check out the local Tampa Electrician today for more information.