What Are The Signs Of A Failing Commercial Garbage Disposal?

Garbage disposals are one of the important appliances used in a kitchen. Whenever you eat something or it is time to deal with the leftovers, you rely on the garbage disposal to take care of it. Commercial garbage disposals are specifically designed to tackle huge amounts of leftovers daily. This means they can run into problems as well. And mostly, you will need to consult commercial kitchen appliance repair services. We will list down some common signs that indicate your commercial garbage disposal is failing.
Making Strange Noises
One of the tell-tale signs that your commercial garbage disposal is failing is it makes strange noises. While running, your commercial garbage disposal will make a humming or other similar sounds but not squeaky or as if some parts are loose. If that is the case, it means the motor is going bad.
The best way to deal with the situation is to stop using the disposal and request an expert to take a look. Keep in mind that garbage disposals are dangerous appliances. They contain sharp blades that turn leftovers into small pieces. So, you do not want to use your hands while it is turned on.
Not only can it cause further damage to the disposal but also lead to serious injuries. Plus, it could also be that the motor is stuck due to some leftovers that were big. To troubleshoot the issue, you will need to turn off the disposal and remove anything that is impeding its functioning.
An overheating garbage disposal is also a bad sign. Although, it is rare for such machines to overheat but sometimes, they can produce a burning smell as well. This will eventually shorten the lifespan of the unit. As a rule of thumb, you should remove big leftovers before you turn them over to the disposal.
This will help prevent blockages later down the road and prevent expensive repairs and replacements.
It’s Leaking Water
Another sign that your garbage disposal is leaking is if it’s leaking water. If you visit the kitchen and observe small pools of water around the unit, you will need to shut it down so that the water leakage can stop for a while. There are various causes of a garbage disposal leaking water.
For instance, cracks or breaks in the unit itself may cause water to leak from multiple areas. This usually happens if the unit is old or is not looked after. Unfortunately, fixing the cracks is not going to guarantee that leakage will stop. In such a case, you will need to consult an expert who can replace the unit for you.
Water leakage is a common issue in most commercial appliances. So, an inspection is required to determine the cause of the leak. If you notice any leakages in other appliances like an ice machine, contact a commercial ice maker repair Alexandria company.
It Smells Bad
Another tell-tale sign is that your commercial garbage disposal is not working the way it is supposed to be when it starts smelling bad. You may argue that garbage disposals can smell bad due to leftovers. However, it might also be a sign of poor maintenance. Because there is moisture inside the unit, mold and mildew can grow.
The reason is that with time as the unit turns older, such factors start to take place and you will need to replace the garbage disposal. Over time, food particles can build up that could cause bacteria to grow. As a result, do not be surprised if you welcome yourself into the kitchen with a nasty smell.
Moreover, the old garbage disposal may not be as effective anymore compared to when it was new. While the new one is going to be a lot more powerful and grind the leftovers into fine pieces, the old one is going to be not that effective. This reduces the probability of the unit creating a bad smell that makes it hard for everyone to stay in the kitchen.
Doesn’t Turn On Or Runs Sluggish
If your commercial garbage disposal does not turn on and runs sluggishly, it means it has completed its duration. Keep in mind that commercial garbage disposals are designed to be rough and tough units. But that does not mean they will run a lifetime.
They need maintenance as well just like other kitchen appliances. But, even then, they might run into problems that won’t come with a fix. The reason your commercial garbage disposal might be running sluggish or doesn’t turn on is that the motor or blades have gone bad.
Then again, you will need to contact a professional who can visit and perform an inspection. If the blade is damaged, you can get it replaced. However, if the motor is the issue, you should invest in a new one.
It’s Old
Finally, if nothing else works, it means that your commercial garbage disposal has become old and needs replacement. Even though commercial garbage disposals will last several years until replacement is needed, maintenance and other factors can play a huge role in determining its lifespan.
In such cases, it is not wise to spend your money on expensive repairs and replacements but invest in a new unit. One thing you need to keep in mind about garbage disposals is that they can make it difficult to run operations just when your customers are patiently waiting for their orders.
You cannot afford to have your dishware smelling bad or the entire restaurant filled with a nasty smell. This is why you should be careful and look after the unit. If you feel that its time is up, you should replace it without any second thoughts.
Do Commercial Garbage Disposals Require Maintenance?
Most business owners think that commercial garbage disposals do not require maintenance. A common misconception is that since they break down the leftovers, there is no need to clean after them as the leftovers will find their way out. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Commercial garbage disposals like other commercial kitchen appliances need proper care as well. You need to keep in mind that your commercial garbage disposal failing to work will slow down the other operations as well. So, you should train your employees to properly clean the garbage disposal at the end of each working day.
Plus, you should also make sure to remove the big leftovers by hand. Although commercial garbage disposals can handle big and large amounts, but that does not mean they can manage all. That said, you have to use the right practices for it to run smoothly.
This goes a long way in terms of avoiding complications that will force you to spend money on expensive repairs and replacements.
Conclusion
To sum it up, commercial garbage disposals tend to be very effective units as long as they function properly. This means that part of it is your responsibility to look after it and ensure it is not experiencing complications. However, if you have done the most you can but still find the disposal showing unusual signs or symptoms, you should replace it. Then again, you will be saving a lot of money by calling in a commercial garbage disposal repair Springfield expert each time to fix the issues otherwise.