Your garbage disposal runs quietly in the background — until the day it doesn’t. When it stops working, the question shifts fast: is this a repair or a replacement?
Most garbage disposals last between 8 and 15 years. That wide range comes down to one thing: how you use it. Titanium Plumbing & Heating is fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our team handles garbage disposal repairs and replacements across Fair Lawn every day.
Key Points:
- Garbage disposals typically last 8 to 15 years depending on usage and maintenance.
- Household size, frequency of use, and what goes down the drain all affect lifespan.
- Avoid bones, coffee grounds, eggshells, and fibrous or starchy foods.
- Warning signs include frequent resets, foul odors, unusual noise, and leaks under the sink.
- A licensed plumber can diagnose and fix the problem faster and safer than a DIY attempt.
Factors Affecting the Longevity of a Garbage Disposal
So how long do garbage disposals last? A garbage disposal’s longevity depends on a host of different factors, including:
- How often it is used: A person who lives alone and doesn’t cook often will likely have a garbage disposal that lasts to the end of its normal life cycle. In contrast, a home chef may take a few years off the disposal simply because they use it more often.
- How many people are using it: A family of four will wear down a garbage disposal quicker than a household of one or two people. If the family includes children, the likelihood of the garbage disposal needing to be replaced sooner is a real possibility.
- What you put down it: Though kids may inadvertently place materials that do not belong in a garbage disposal, many times adults are guilty of the same thing. This can break a garbage disposal or cause it to malfunction.
- Make and model: Newer garbage disposals tend to last longer. They are more durable and can keep working optimally for close to 15 years.
Do Not Put These Things Down a Garbage Disposal in Fair Lawn, NJ
Despite getting the best appliance on the market, a disposal’s durability can suffer if you use it improperly. Though a garbage disposal is designed to chop up food remnants and get rid of them, it can only do so much. Avoid placing these items in your garbage disposal:
- Non-food items: Anything that is not food can harm your disposal and should never be placed in the drain.
- Bones: Though technically food-based, bones can be too harsh for a garbage disposal.
- Coffee grounds: These can build and accumulate in the pipes.
- Foods that contain stringy material: Things like string beans, asparagus, and onion skins can wrap themselves around the blades of a garbage disposal.
- Hard food items that will congeal when wet: Foods such as uncooked pasta and nuts can bunch up when mixed with water and clog your pipes.
- Eggshells: You might think that eggshells aren’t very tough, and that is true. However, the membrane in them can wrap itself around a disposal’s blades and cause a problem.
Signs That Your Garbage Disposal May Be on the Fritz
Before a garbage disposal stops working completely, there are some signs that it is being compromised.
- Reset button: If the garbage disposal flips off and you have to keep hitting the reset button, that is a bad sign.
- Foul odor: You may notice an odor stemming from your pipes or the disposal that smells like garbage or sulfur.
- It’s loud: Your garbage disposal may sound unusually loud or clanky when you use it.
- Leaks: Water may leak under your sink and be traced back to a problem with the garbage disposal. If leaking water is spreading, our water leak repair team can assess the full scope of the problem.
What To Do When Your Garbage Disposal Doesn’t Work in Fair Lawn, NJ
As soon as your garbage disposal shows signs of a problem, you can save yourself a lot of time and money if you contact the licensed plumbers serving Fair Lawn, NJ.
Tending to a broken garbage disposal yourself can be dangerous. Though sometimes DIY plumbing comes in handy for smaller jobs, fixing a garbage disposal is not a DIY job.
Additionally, professional plumbers know what other gadgets and checkpoints are needed. For example, garbage disposals need to have a plumbing device for backflow installed to prevent backflow. This is a safety check mark that keeps your dishes clean and your family healthy.
If grease or food buildup is contributing to slow drains alongside the disposal issue, a professional drain cleaning service can clear the line and prevent recurring clogs.
Get Your Garbage Disposal Fixed in Fair Lawn, NJ Today!
Call Titanium Plumbing & Heating for all your garbage disposal repair and replacement needs in Fair Lawn, NJ, including to understand how long your garbage disposal will last. We will identify and repair your garbage disposal quickly and efficiently. Our expert plumbers will instruct you on proper maintenance and help you lengthen the duration of your garbage disposal. Contact our team today to schedule your visit.