Garbage disposals are one of the more temperamental appliances many people have in their homes.

They work well until they suddenly don’t!

As powerful as they are, there are times when garbage disposal repair may be necessary, like when the unit hums but does not grind.

Read on to learn more about this problem and what garbage disposal repair experts recommend in terms of repairing the affected unit.

What Does It Mean When A Garbage Disposal Hums?

Humming is the sound that a garbage disposal motor makes when it is running.

When the disposal is functioning correctly that sound is very faint, like a soft whirring, which becomes a louder grinding sound when food is put into the unit.

If the humming is more noticeable like a buzzing sound and nothing happens when food is put into the unit, it means that power is reaching the motor but the blades are not turning.

Some sort of garbage disposal repair is necessary to troubleshoot the problem and get the blades turning again so the disposal works.

What Causes This Problem In Garbage Disposals?

Garbage disposal repair experts typically find there are several common reasons why a disposal motor would hum without turning the blades:

Blade Obstruction – The most prevalent cause of garbage disposal motor humming is something obstructing the blades or sticking between them, preventing them from turning.
Clogged Drain or Disposal Canister – Another common cause for humming that can prevent the blades from turning is a clogged disposal unit that is packed with food or a clogged drain under the unit. In either case, when material cannot escape the disposal to pass into the drain, it could cause the blades to stop turning.
Motor Problems – Garbage disposal repair services also find that after some time, the motors in these units can malfunction and become unable to spin the blades due to worn internal parts or electrical problems. An overheating motor that hums also suggests there is a mechanical problem preventing the motor from spinning the blades.
Reset Needed – Often, the humming means that the electrical circuit in the disposal needs to be reset if it or the GFCI breaker on the electrical outlet has tripped.

Is Garbage Disposal Repair Possible If The Appliance Is Humming?

In most of the above cases, a humming garbage disposal can be repaired fairly easily by a homeowner or a garbage disposal repair expert by unplugging the unit, clearing out any blockages or obstructions, plugging it in again, and making sure the reset button is set.

When those solutions do not work, it probably means there is a problem with the motor itself.

Since the motors are usually encased in sealed canisters, the usual remedy in these cases is to replace the whole disposal unit.

Contact A Garbage Disposal Repair Expert For Help

Humming and buzzing sounds coming from a garbage disposal that does not grind is a prime indication that there is something wrong with the unit.

Fortunately, garbage disposal repair services see that most of the time the causes of this problem are minor and that disposals can be easily cleaned and fixed so they function once again.

When home solutions to get a humming disposal running again fail, a respected garbage disposal repair expert can make repairs if possible or install a new one if not.