Garbage disposals help you manage food waste by breaking down scraps so you can flush them down the drain easily. With proper use and care, they can last for several years.
Below, we’ll discuss the average lifespan of a garbage disposal, signs your disposal could be wearing out, tips for extending its longevity, and more.
Quick Takeaways: How Long Do Garbage Disposals Last?
• Most garbage disposals last 8–15 years.
• The lifespan depends on the model you choose and how you use and maintain it.
• Signs it’s time to replace your disposal include constant clogs, reset button trips, weird noises, and leaks.
• You can extend the life of your garbage disposal by avoiding use with grease and fibrous foods and cleaning it regularly.
Average Lifespan of a Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are built to work hard and serve you reliably, and most modern units have an 8- to 15-year lifespan. Usually, families can expect to use their garbage disposal for about 12 years if they choose the right size unit, run it properly, and maintain it well.
Design, water quality, and use patterns are other factors that impact longevity. Heavy-duty, commercial-grade disposals tend to last longer than cheaper, general-purpose models, and if you have hard water, scale buildup can affect performance or lead to corrosion that can damage your unit.
Frequent use, greasy foods, and hard objects like bones can also cause wear and tear and reduce your disposal’s longevity. Routine cleaning and maintenance services and careful operation can help you extend the life of your disposal.
7 Signs Your Garbage Disposal Is Wearing Out
Your garbage disposal may be built tough, but any machine that relies on force and friction to break down food will eventually wear out. As a unit ages, its motor, blades, and other parts will degrade more quickly if they’re abused or poorly maintained.
Even with careful maintenance, sooner or later, you will need to replace your garbage disposal, and the signs below indicate that your unit is nearing its end.
1. You’re Hitting the Reset Button Too Often
Most garbage disposals have a small red reset button on the bottom of the unit that will restore power if your disposal’s motor overloads and shuts off. If you’re resetting your disposal frequently, your motor could be weak or overworked, which means that you’ll need to replace your disposal.
2. It Clogs No Matter What You Do
If your garbage disposal clogs constantly, the blades may be too dull, or the unit could need more power to properly break down food. As a result, the waste will either clog up the works of the unit or get stuck in the sink’s drain pipes. To resolve the problem, have a plumber install a bigger model with more horsepower.
3. Grinding Sounds Like a Rock Tumbler
When your garbage disposal makes loud, harsh grinding sounds, its blades could be hitting against hard objects like metal caps, glass, or bone fragments. Kitchen utensils and tools, toys, and debris can also fall into the drain and prevent the impeller from rotating. Loose blades, bearings, and rivets can also cause grinding or clanking noises.
If your garbage disposal sounds like it’s crunching rocks, turn it off right away to prevent further damage, unplug it, and hire a plumber to repair or replace the unit.
4. You Smell Something… Unholy
When food waste gets trapped in your garbage disposal and decomposes, it can contribute to bacteria and mold growth that creates strong, foul odors that linger, even with regular rinsing. If odors persist after a thorough cleaning, you may need to replace your unit.
5. Water’s Leaking Under Your Sink
If your garbage disposal is leaking, it may have faulty seals and gaskets or a cracked housing. Leaky units can smell bad and leach food residue into your cabinets, which can weaken their structure and attract pests. Usually, replacing the garbage disposal is the best way to resolve the problem.
6. It’s Slower Than It Used to Be
When your disposal can’t grind down food quickly, its blades may be getting dull, or its motor may be too weak to handle the job, and it may be time to install a new unit.
7. It’s Older Than Your Teenager
Most garbage disposals have a ten-year lifespan, depending on the model and usage. If your unit is nearing its end of life, it may be more cost-effective to replace it than to repair it.
How to Make Your Garbage Disposal Last Longer
When you replace a garbage disposal, you want to get the most out of your investment. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your unit last.
• Use Cold Water Every Time: Cold water helps to solidify grease, which makes it less likely to clog the works of your disposal and your pipes.
• Avoid Grease, Bones, and Fibrous Foods: Stringy, fatty, and hard materials can jam your unit’s blades and strain its motor.
• Run It Regularly (Even If You Don’t Need It): Operating your garbage disposal without food keeps the blades moving, pushes out debris, and helps prevent rust and corrosion.
• Clean It Monthly with Ice and Vinegar: Running ice and vinegar through your disposal once a month can help remove buildup, neutralize odors, sharpen its blades, and reduce wear and tear.
• Know When to Call a Plumber vs. DIY: If your disposal is working poorly despite careful use and regular cleanings, have a plumber diagnose the issue.
Repair or Replace: Which Makes More Sense?
If your garbage disposal is giving you grief, it helps to know whether to fix the issue or start fresh.
When Repair Is Worth It
• Jammed impellers can be fixed by removing the blockage.
• Loose gaskets or drain connections can be replaced.
• Clogs near the top of the disposal can be manually removed.
When Replacement Is Smarter
• Burned-out motors are irreparable, so if you have one, it’s usually best to replace the whole unit.
• A cracked unit housing should not be patched; just replace the disposal.
Constant failures on a 10+ year old unit will cost more than they’re worth to repair.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
Can a garbage disposal last 20 years?
Although it’s possible for a garbage disposal to last 20 years, the average lifespan for most units is between 8 and 15 years. If you use your unit carefully and clean and maintain it well, you can usually extend its life. High-quality disposals made with rugged materials also tend to last longer.
What causes a garbage disposal to fail early?
Food residue, corrosion, worn-out motors, and jammed or dull blades can all cause your garbage disposal to fail early. Damaged wiring, bearing wear, and other mechanical issues create excess resistance and friction and lead to overheating, which can cause the disposal to stop working.
What’s the best garbage disposal brand for durability?
Popular Mechanics, The Spruce, and This Old House recommend the InSinkErator Evolution, Waste King Legend, and Moen GX Series lines as top picks for residential garbage disposals.
Can I replace a disposal myself, or should I call a plumber?
When you want to replace a garbage disposal, you should hire a plumber to do the job safely and prevent future problems, like electrical problems or water damage. Experienced plumbers have the specialized knowledge, tools, and training to install your unit correctly.
Need a New Garbage Disposal Installed?
When you need to install, repair, replace, or upgrade a garbage disposal, call the expert plumbers at Birmingham Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Our punctual plumbers are available 24/7 for all your plumbing needs in Birmingham, AL, and its surrounding areas.