When a garbage disposal is humming but not working properly, it’s often a sign that it’s jammed. Fortunately, this is generally a straightforward problem to fix on your own without having to call in a professional. However, caution should be exercised to avoid injury during the repair process.
Firstly, never put your hand or any object into the garbage disposal to investigate. The safest way to troubleshoot a jammed garbage disposal is to power it off at the mains and use a flashlight to check for any visible clogs or blockages. Once you’ve identified the issue, you can use a pair of pliers or a specially designed ‘garbage disposal wrench’ to carefully knock the flywheel free of whatever it’s stuck on. Remember, safety first always: Use these tools from the top rather than reaching into the unit itself.
In case your garbage disposal is humming but not working even after ensuring there’s no blockage, the issue could be the device overheating. Most disposals come with an inbuilt safety feature that automatically switches the motor off when it gets too hot. When this is the case, unplug and let it cool down for 10-15 minutes before hitting the reset button (usually located at the bottom of the unit).
In conclusion, fixing a humming, non-working garbage disposal can be a fairly simple task. However, always keep in mind, if the problem persists after your best DIY attempts, it could be a sign of a more serious issue that might require assistance of a professional.