When Should I Replace My Garbage Disposal?

You might consider replacing your kitchen garbage disposal if you notice any of these situations.

1. It Clogs Frequently 

If you are taking care of your disposal by:

• Always running water during use and for at least 20 seconds after use
• Only disposing of food items approved by your manufacturer
• Cutting up items into small pieces and feeding them in slowly; yet your unit still clogs often, it may be time for a new disposal

Frequent garbage disposal clogs also may signal that you require a larger disposal capacity for your needs, so look into installing a bigger model.

2. You Often Have to Press the Reset Button

It’s not unusual to have to push the reset button after a clog or after you’ve put large amounts through the disposal, but frequent resetting could mean that the motor is failing and the unit needs replacing.

3. You Can’t Get Rid of Odors

If you’ve tried to freshen your disposal by cleaning it with ice cubes, baking soda and vinegar, citrus peels, and a sink full of dish soap yet odors still linger, the smell may be trapped in the drain lines or in the unit itself. Sometimes the only way to eliminate the smell is to replace the unit.
 4. The Blades Have Become Dull

When you notice that food takes a long time to grind or you are getting frequent clogs, it may mean that the blades are no longer sharp enough and it's time to replace your garbage dsposal.

5. You Have a Leak That Can’t Be Easily Fixed

While some leaks, such as those in drain or dishwasher lines, have simple fixes like tightening connections or replacing O-rings, other leaks are more complicated and costly. If you have a leak in the sink flange or in other parts of the unit, it may be more cost effective to change your garbage disposa lrather than repair the old one.

6. You’re Replacing Your Kitchen Sink or Dishwasher

While it certainly isn’t always necessary to replace your disposal just because you’re getting a new sink or updating your kitchen appliances, it may be a good time to do so, especially if your unit is over ten years old. Since you already have professionals on the site, it may be more cost efficient and convenient to go ahead and replace an older unit instead of waiting for it to fail at a future date.