If your garbage disposal is showing any or all of these symptoms, it is probably time for a change. ✓ The garbage disposal tries to work but appears jammed, and it cannot be unclogged. ✓ When it runs, it’s very noisy, or there is a humming sound coming from the machine. ✓ It’s running slowly, and not working as efficiently as before. ✓ It’s stopped running altogether, and makes no noise at all. There are a number of symptoms that may suggest your garbage disposal needs to be removed. ✓The blades can be damaged by hard food and fruit pits.Įven if you have followed the rules for garbage disposal to the letter, then the wear and tear of working on a daily basis may mean your machine needs to be removed or replaced. ✓ Stringy vegetables, such as celery, can become caught in the blades, and overheat the motor. ✓ It’s not a good idea to push pasta or rice through a garbage disposal, as they expand with water and can also clog the machine. ✓ Too much grease or oil can solidify within the machine and cause clogs. There are also some foodstuffs which should be avoided, as they can, over time, reduce the efficiency of a garbage disposal, and shorten its working life. It’s not a garbage crusher so cannot deal with bones, plastic or metal items. Garbage disposals are designed to cope with the biodegradable waste generated in a typical home. You can seriously damage your disposal if it is not used properly. On average a modern garbage disposal should last anything from eight to 15 years if it is maintained correctly, and it has not had to deal with waste it’s not designed to deal with.