Why Your Garbage Disposal Is Humming But Not Working
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink,
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Small bones from fish or poultry (avoid large/mammal bones)
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Small bones from fish or poultry (avoid large/mammal bones)
Avoid these items
Grease, oil, and cooking fat — they solidify in pipes and cause clogs.
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Small bones from fish or poultry (avoid large/mammal bones)
Avoid these items
Grease, oil, and cooking fat — they solidify in pipes and cause clogs.
Fibrous foods — celery, corn husks, onion skins, art
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Small bones from fish or poultry (avoid large/mammal bones)
Avoid these items
Grease, oil, and cooking fat — they solidify in pipes and cause clogs.
Fibrous foods — celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes, banana peels can wrap or clog the shredder.
Starchy foods — potato peels, pasta, rice expand and create pasty clogs.
Large bones or dense shells — can damage blades or motor.
Non-food items — utensils, glass, plastic, or twist ties.
Common garbage disposal problems and quick fixes
Jammed disposal
Power off and unplug or switch off circuit breaker.
Use the wrench that came with the unit (or a 1/4-inch hex wrench) in the bottom crank port to manually free the impeller.
Remove any visible lodged item with tongs — never use your hand.
Clogged drain
Run cold water and the disposal to flush debris.
Use a plunger on the sink (cover the opposite basin if double sinks).
Avoid chemical drain cleaners; they can damage the unit and pipes.
If plunging fails, call a plumber for safe mechanical snaking.
Garbage Disposals: What Every Homeowner in Cincinnati Should Know
A working garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup simple — but when it’s clogged, jammed, or leaking, it can disrupt your day (and your sink). As a top-rated plumber serving Cincinnati, A&J Services wants to help you keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Here’s a practical guide covering how garbage disposals work, what to put in them, common problems and fixes, maintenance tips, and when to call a professional.
How a garbage disposal works
Mounted under the kitchen sink, a disposal uses a small electric motor to spin a grinding plate or impellers that break food into small particles. These particles then flush through your drain line into the sewer or septic system.
Disposals are not trash compactors — they grind food waste, not whole utensils, bones, or large quantities of solids.
What you can and can’t put in the disposal Safe to grind (in moderation)
Vegetable scraps (small pieces)
Fruit peels (not large amounts of fibrous peels)
Coffee grounds (small amounts only)
Small bones from fish or poultry (avoid large/mammal bones)
Avoid these items
Grease, oil, and cooking fat — they solidify in pipes and cause clogs.
Fibrous foods — celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes, banana peels can wrap or clog the shredder.
Starchy foods — potato peels, pasta, rice expand and create pasty clogs.
Large bones or dense shells — can damage blades or motor.
Non-food items — utensils, glass, plastic, or twist ties.
Common garbage disposal problems and quick fixes
Jammed disposal
Power off and unplug or switch off circuit breaker.
Use the wrench that came with the unit (or a 1/4-inch hex wrench) in the bottom crank port to manually free the impeller.
Remove any visible lodged item with tongs — never use your hand.
Clogged drain
Run cold water and the disposal to flush debris.
Use a plunger on the sink (cover the opposite basin if double sinks).
Avoid chemical drain cleaners; they can damage the unit and pipes.
If plunging fails, call a plumber for safe mechanical snaking.
Not turning on (no power)
Check that the unit is plugged in.
Press the red