Here's Why You Should Reset Your Garbage Disposal

It's funny when you realize how much you appreciate your garbage disposal. It's always as soon as yours stops working. But before you panic and call the plumber, your garbage disposal is equipped with a handy little reset button you may not have been aware of. In many cases, the reset button will restore the disposal to proper working order. For example, if you flip the switch and all you hear is a low humming sound, it's probably jammed. On the other hand, if you don't hear any sound at all, it may have overheated.

The main thing to remember is there are no circumstances where your hands should go into the disposal. Besides your hands, there are a few other things you should never put in the garbage disposal. Some examples are harsh chemicals, grease, coffee grounds, bones, pits, and eggshells. But sometimes, through no fault of your own, the garbage disposal suddenly stops working. In this case, the first thing to try is the reset button.

In the interest of safety, always make sure the power to the garbage disposal is off before starting to work on it. You can do this in multiple ways, but shutting it off at the breaker is the safest. Next, look for the overload protector, otherwise known as the reset button, usually located on the underside of the unit. This means you'll need to get under the sink with a flashlight and look at the bottom of the appliance. When the disposal is in perfect working order, the button will sit flush with the unit. Therefore, spotting it the first time you look can be difficult.

If you don't see the button on the bottom, look underneath the logo or on the sides of the unit. The reset button will be either red or black; when you push it in, it should lock in place. If it does not stay engaged, wait a few minutes and try again. Run some lukewarm water from the tap before restoring power and running the disposal. It should run smoothly again. If these measures don't work, you'll need to call a plumber or repair service.

You should only have to push the reset button once or twice over several months. If you have to use it more often than that, it could be due to faulty wiring upon installation. The other major reason this might happen is simply the unit being old and needing replacement. Other than that, a few things could be cause for concern regarding your garbage disposal.

If the disposal begins making loud, clanking or otherwise alarming noises when running, there may be something hard stuck inside that doesn't belong. If this happens, turn off the motor immediately and get a flashlight and something to retrieve the object with. Some other signs you need to replace the disposal could be frequent clogs without explanation or things you put inside taking longer to grind up. Internal cracks can cause leaks, or you could experience power issues. Lastly, it's time to call a plumber if you notice a permeating odor that doesn't go away. But always try the reset button first, as many problems can be resolved simply by pushing this button.