I need a Handy Man's advice

[dougp]

Disposals are hard on the waste treatment system. They're bad, and shouldn't be used.

Got proof?

 

[KeithTalent]

I'm a noob and a klutz, also. I checked the chord like 20 times before I stuck my hand down the drain to even see if I could feel a jam. Just watch the tutorial and follow the instructions that come with a new one. Maybe ask your buddy to come over and watch you to make sure it's fine and just give him a few beers. Just make sure you try it before you give up - nothing feels better than fixing a problem yourself. I had some leaks in my roof that were solved with liquid nails - I tried to get up on my roof at least 4 times before I chickened out because of my fear of heights + angle of my roof. Ended up paying the guy $250 to fix it - next time, I'm just gonna buy some climbing ropes and have my wife hold them down on the other side of the house while I go up, or just belay myself somehow.

Good plan, will do. I'll take a look at the links later this week to see if it appears doable. Thanks again.

KT

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Got proof?

Septic system drain field can get clogged with crap you're disposing of. If you're on city sewer not really a big deal since they are equipped to deal with it but it is harder on them.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I figure these things are replacable every 3+ years, mine has lived passed 5 years now, so if it comes close to dieing, i'll replace it.

 

[Squisher]

If you buy the same make and model that is in there already, you can leave the sink flange alone and just swap out the motor in 1/2 an hour. Heck, 90% of all disposers use the same sink flange anyway. It's really not that hard. Electrical is usually a pigtail of an electrical wire hanging off that plugs into an outlet. This will need to be swapped to the new motor. The drain might need to be cut to length, but is usually attached to the disposer with two screws and to the drain with a compression fitting that you tighten with your fingers. You might need to attach the hose for a dishwasher with a hose and clamp (be sure to knock out the plug on the motor for this). The motor itself is usually held in place by a screw like contraption that you turn ~1/16th of a turn until it clicks in place.

 

[dougp]

If you buy the same make and model that is in there already, you can leave the sink flange alone and just swap out the motor in 1/2 an hour. Heck, 90% of all disposers use the same sink flange anyway. It's really not that hard. Electrical is usually a pigtail of an electrical wire hanging off that plugs into an outlet. This will need to be swapped to the new motor. The drain might need to be cut to length, but is usually attached to the disposer with two screws and to the drain with a compression fitting that you tighten with your fingers. You might need to attach the hose for a dishwasher with a hose and clamp (be sure to knock out the plug on the motor for this). The motor itself is usually held in place by a screw like contraption that you turn ~1/16th of a turn until it clicks in place.

I got the same brand that our home builders used - freaking flange had changed. I believe this was done on purpose to make it a bitch to replace, also it looked like they used a waterproof silicon sealant instead of plumbers putty ... Almost warped the sink getting it off.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Mine did that and was jammed, which caused an breaker to pop (on the disposal itself.) Look for a reset switch.

 

[azazyel]

Yeah, I'll just call the landlord next week. I've lived in that shathole too long not for them to replace the thing.

 

[lxskllr]

Got proof?

No. I thought I'd read some fairly serious consequences of using them with municipal sewage, but damned if I can find anything now, at least from a reputable source. Maybe I was wrong :^/

Septic system drain field can get clogged with crap you're disposing of. If you're on city sewer not really a big deal since they are equipped to deal with it but it is harder on them.

They definitely shouldn't be used in a septic system, at least not for animal products. The effects of grease on a system are well known, and should be minimized as much as possible.

 

[Gibson486]

There is overload switch on those things that switch when they do not need too sometimes. Push to reset the switch and let it sit for a day and see if it works then. At my old apartment, this kept happening and every time I called the landlord, he would come over and it worked.

 

[Gibson486]

Disposals are hard on the waste treatment system. They're bad, and shouldn't be used.

Not really. If your city's treatment plant can't handle stuff from a disposal, then they have done a huge injustice to taxpayers. Even the most antiquated plants can handle it.

 

[Fern]

If it's humming it sounds like the motor is getting elec current but not turning.

Sounds to me like the motor is bad since you saw it's not jammed.

Fern

 

[0roo0roo]

as plumbing goes it is simple.
just follow the directions, it all comes out as one, either unscrew or a turn to unlock...the things rot and rust through the basket or whatever.

homedepot and lowes have some kind of deal with insinkerator, they don't sell any other brands, very annoying, since my last one was one of those and it rotted through I just bought a waste king from amazon online, works fine.

if the lock ring for the sink flange is stuck or whatever just dremel or saw/drill through it, the things are soft.

 

[0roo0roo]

Not really. If your city's treatment plant can't handle stuff from a disposal, then they have done a huge injustice to taxpayers. Even the most antiquated plants can handle it.

considering the countries massively behind on all infrastructure projects, don't be so sure.
http://www.dailymarkets.com/economy...ucture-is-rotting-right-in-front-of-our-eyes/
"*According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, aging sewer systems spill an estimated 1.26 trillion gallons of untreated sewage every single year, resulting in an estimated 50.6 billion dollars in cleanup costs."

no politician gets credit for keeping stuff from deteriorating when the shit will hit the fan long after he is gone. do they don't bother. we live on the infrastructure built by the last generation.

maybe the plants can handle it, the rest of the system..who knows. the thing is necessary because you can't strain everything without wasting a ton of time, I do remove as much as i can before i clean the sink.

 

[911paramedic]

 

[lozina]

I know what will work... but it will cost ya.

Stick your hand down there and turn it on. Guaranteed it will work then. Murphy's Law will fix it and chew your hand up but at least it will be working again.

 

[trevor0323]

You know there is a reset sort switch under there too. I had a similar problem and the wife had to call a handyman and flip the reset for me.

 

[paperfist]

My GF's disposal did the same thing. I was completely dumbfounded to find a small nut jammed in there causing the problem.

 

[highland145]

:biggrin:

 

[Doppel]

My GF's disposal did the same thing. I was completely dumbfounded to find a small nut jammed in there causing the problem.

You got your nut to fit in your GF's disposal?

 

[Jeraden]

A few years ago mine did the same thing - just hummed when turned on and nothing jammed. Thought it was broken. Somehow I fixed it though, maybe it was that reset switch thing others mentioned. I know, real helpful post lol, but don't give up hope, might still be alive.

 

[HAL9000]

Wikipedia says 50% of homes had garbage disposals in the US in 2009.

I've never seen one here in Canada.

Never seen one in the UK either, had to google what it was, never heard of it before.

 

[slag]

Disposals are hard on the waste treatment system. They're bad, and shouldn't be used.

Meh, after it leaves my house and goes to the sewer, its not my problem. Thats why I pay such high fees and taxes so they can worry about it.

 

[Fritzo]

At first, I thought the title of this post was "I need He-Man's advice."

He-Man solves all problems by yelling "BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!!!"

Have you tried that?