Garbage Disposal Diagram: What’s Inside That Noisy Machine?

Garbage Disposal Diagram: What’s Inside That Noisy Machine?

Having been in the presence of your kitchen sink and having the same old grind sound emanating after you have thrown the switch, you most likely are not much of a thinker. But do you ever stop to wonder what going on in your garbage disposal? Most homeowners are dependent on this little but powerful machine day-in and day-out to assist them in keeping the kitchen clean and fresh.

So today we are going to give you a guided tour around your garbage disposal inside and show you a real live demonstration of how it works and what is what. We will also give tips on its maintenance, common issues that happen and when you need to call a plumber. So, open the lid, and then we will know why this noisy helper should be paid a bit more attention.

What Is a Garbage Disposal?

A garbage disposal is an electric powered appliance under your kitchen sink. It masticates food waste into small particles, which can be washed away safely down the sink. This will reduce the chances of clogging, minimizes odor of trash and makes after meal cleaning swift.

Although it looks like a plain motor with blades, a brilliant mechanism of things interacting with each other is present. Getting to know how all the pieces and parts come together will make you better utilize your disposal and will avoid costly repairs as well.

Garbage Disposal Diagram: The Main Parts of a Garbage Disposal

Below is a plain-language diagram description of what you’d see if you opened up the unit:

Sink Flange

The metal ring you find in the opening of a drain at your sink is it. It also links the throwing to the sink itself and prevents leakage of water on the side of the sink.

Splash Guard

This flexible rubber cover is laid just below the flange. It prevents backflooding of food scraps and water as the disposal is on.

Upper Hopper Chamber

As you put food into the disposal, it will fall into this upper chamber. It is more or less like the waiting room for the food before they are put through a grinder.

Grinding Ring (Shredder Ring)

This is one of the most excellent elements. The grooves and holes on the grinding ring cuts are sharp. Food waste is sent through the ring, where it is torn apart into small pieces.

Flywheel and Impellers

The flywheel rotates fast, and small metal arms are attached to it called impellers. These impellers dribble food waste violently on the grinding ring. As it always happens, the myth that garbage disposals actually possess blades is not true. Less like slicing, it is more of hammering and grinding.

Lower Hopper Chamber

Grinding of food particles then causes the food particles to settle in the lower chamber, which is then flushed out via the plumbing drain.

Motor

This powerful electric motor sits at the bottom and rotates the flywheel and impellers, thus enabling the grinding of the food.

Discharge Outlet

Garbage and food scraps leave through this opening and enter the plumbing waste pipes in your home.

Reset Button

When the motor overheats or gets jammed, this red button allows you to reset.

Power Connection

You are connected to the electrical supply socket under the sink or permanently connected to your home’s electrical system.

How the Garbage Disposal Works, Step by Step

Food Goes In
You scrape your plate, rinse the sink, and leftover scraps drop through the splash guard into the upper chamber.

Flip the Switch
The motor powers on, spinning the flywheel and impellers at high speed.

Grinding Begins
The impellers push the food against the grinding ring, breaking it down into tiny particles.

Water Helps Flush
As you run cold water the mixture is passed down into the lower part.

Waste Exits
The waste food is pushed out of the drainage hole and down your sewer or septic.

It only requires a few seconds, yet keeps you from putting up with stinking rubbish and cleaning up.

Common Garbage Disposal Problems

Even when there is the best machine, trouble can cause problems. These are some of the common problems you may face:

• Jams or Clogs: Stony foods, such as bones, or tough peels (celery stalks, corn husks and so on), may clog.
• Overheating: In case of too hardworking, the motor will turn off as a precaution against damage.
• Leaks: Excessive wear or damage seals on sink or sink flange or discharge outlet may leak.
• Smell: Over time, residue of food may accumulate, and begin to stink.

Troubleshooting Tips

Where Your Disposal Ceases to Function:

1. Power On: Check that it is plugged in.
2. Rest: There is a red reset button at the bottom, press it down.
3. Clear the Jam: Unplug the unit always. Take a hex wrench or wooden spoon to use in the flywheel hole to turn the flywheel by hand.
4. Log your Cold Water Flush: Run some cold water after every use.

If these measures fail, call a licensed plumber to check the unit safely.

How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Good Shape

• Cold Water: Grease can be melted away with hot water, but this falls back into a solid form in the pipes.
• Stay off Tough Stuff: Bones, fruit pits and coffee grounds are too hard or too messy.
• Clean Frequently: A little bit of ice cubes and citrus peels will clean the chamber.
• Apply It Often: Rusting and corrosion are likely to be prevented by frequent use.

These few tricks will not only increase the lifetime of your disposal, but will keep it functioning as new.

When to Replace Your Garbage Disposal

The average lifespan of most garbage disposals is 8-15 years with reasonable use and maintenance. These are some indications it may be time your one is retired:

• Clogs or jams commonly occur
• Chronic drips
• Excessive noises which are peculiar
• Cleaning but not performing well

When your disposal has one of these problems, a licensed plumber will be able to recommend your best replacement alternatives and securely put them in place.

Call the Experts at Lifetime Plumbing

We are very familiar with the importance of a functioning garbage disposal unit in your kitchen and at Lifetime Plumbing, we take this very seriously. It does not matter whether you have a clog, require a replacement, or need professional installation, we will assist you.

With our skilled plumbers, we are in a position to diagnose an issue and restore your kitchen just a short time after. It is also our offer to provide your disposal with routine maintenance so that it can keep operating year after year.

See Also: