A garbage disposal is the mechanism placed into the under carriage unit of your sink that connects the sink drain to the piping that expels the water from your home. The purpose of the garbage disposal is to catch and puree any small items, such as food cuttings, that could get caught and clog your pipes. The garbage disposal also acts as a convenience system so that while you are preparing food or washing dishes, you do not have to constantly remove food cuttings to put them in the trash.
The disposal works in the same way that a blender works. Food particles are captured in a container, where they are then chopped up by the fast moving blades. The blades chop the food until they become liquid and are thus able to move through the piping system easily.
There are two common ways in which a garbage disposal can become damaged. The first way occurs when a large object, such as a wooden spoon, falls into the drain and gets caught by the disposal blades. The motor continues to runs, trying to spin the blade. Because the motor runs but the blade does not spin, the motor ends up getting burned out. Thus, the motor breaks and will most likely need to be removed to repair.
Removing the motor of a broken garbage disposal is complicated. You will have to reach under your sink to the underbelly and unscrew the garbage disposal mechanism. Inside, you will find the motor. This motor will need to be replaced with one from your local hardware store. It may be more cost effective, however, to purchase an entirely new garbage disposal if you need to replace the motor, as the motor can be as expensive as a new device.
Sometimes, the motor stops spinning the blades because they fall out of alignment. When your blades and motor are no longer aligned, fixing the problem can be as simple as cranking an external key until they fit back into place.
Underneath the main tank of the disposal is a small hole that requires a special key. The key most likely came with your garbage disposal at the time of purchase. If you no longer have the key, you can purchase one from your hardware store. Slip this key into the hole and turn it until you hear a click, meaning the blades and motor are again aligned.
The second most common problem leading to broken garbage disposals is broken or worn blades. To replace the blades, you will need to reach into the underbelly of the sink to remove the disposal mechanism. When you open the contraption, you will find the blades sitting in the center of the body. You can replace these blades with matching blades from the hardware store. However, like the motor, it may be more cost effective to purchase a whole new garbage disposal than to simply purchase the blades.
Please note: Repairing a garbage disposal is quite simple, but it can be dangerous. You may want to speak with a certified contractor before beginning your repair project.