Has it been one of those weeks where you just let the dishes pile up all while you keep telling yourself you’ll do them later? Eventually, an almost overwhelming smell will come from them and that’s when you decide it’s time to get them out of the way. Once you finally have them in the dishwasher, you can’t help but notice the smell is still there! Chances are that smell is coming from your garbage disposal which means it’s time to check it out! Here’s a few reasons your home’s garbage disposal might smell followed by a few ways to get that smell out.
The disposal is clogged
More times than not, your disposal problems are most likely coming from it being clogged. Maybe a tougher food was rinsed down the drain and didn’t break up all the way or a different food got stuck in there the last time you did the dishes. To unclog your disposal, start by unplugging it. Never work with a disposal that still has power to start. Continue by either using a natural cleaner or a store-bought cleanser and allow it to fizz up in your drain for a few minutes before washing it down with hot water. Continue this process until it is clean!
It could be broken
It might be time for some garbage disposal maintenance! If your garbage disposal is starting to smell, it could be because it’s broken which means that it’s not breaking up the food and sending it down the drain like it should be. Food could possibly be stuck in the disposal resulting in the rotting smell coming from your drain, or a tougher food could have created some damage within the disposal. Cleaning this as if it’s clogged won’t do much since it’s stuck in the grind ring of the disposal. With a broken garbage disposal, it is probably safest to call a plumber to get it fixed.
Beyond the disposal
If you’ve cleaned out your garbage disposal and you’ve figured out that it’s not damaged or clogged in any way, but there is still an odor coming from your sink, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. There could be blockage or leaks down in the sewer lines that could be the reason for the horrible sewer smells that are being pushed up through your pipes and into your home. At this point it is best to call a plumber for professional help. Check on other pipes in the house to see if they are also giving off a sewer smell. If you wait too long after hearing the possible gurgling noises that might come from your drains, you could soon encounter an even bigger problem.
Call on Gotelli Plumbing for help
Garbage disposal problems aren’t fun and, in some cases, easy to deal with. If you find that you’re having reoccurring problems with your garbage disposal such as frequent clogging, odors or strange noises, it may be time for some garbage disposal maintenance! Contact Gotelli Plumbing if you need garbage disposal services.
