How long do garbage disposals last?
Most garbage disposals last 8 to 15 years. The NAHB study lists about 12 years for a disposer.
Disposals wear from what goes down them as much as from age. Most failures are jams and leaks, which are often fixable.
Typical lifespan: 8 to 15 years
The NAHB study lists about 12 years for a disposer.
Garbage disposal maintenance checklist by season
Spring
Run cold water and grind a few ice cubes or citrus peel to clear residue. Check under the sink for drips at the flange, drain connection and dishwasher inlet.
Summer
Smells build up in warm weather. Use cold water while the unit runs and for about 15 seconds after, which helps carry grease and food bits through the pipe.
Fall
Before holiday cooking, avoid fibrous items such as celery and corn husks, grease, coffee grounds in volume, and bones or pits. Test that the reset button on the bottom springs back.
Winter
If a trap or pipe is in an exterior wall, check it for freezing risk. If the unit hums but does not turn, it may be jammed; turn power off first and clear it with the hex-key socket on the bottom, as the manual describes.
Signs your garbage disposal needs replacing
- It hums but does not grind, and clearing the jam does not help.
- It leaks from the body, not just a loose connection.
- It trips the reset button often.
- Persistent slow drainage and odors after cleaning.
- Rust or corrosion on the housing.
Typical garbage disposal warranty
Disposal warranties vary widely, from one year on basic models to several years, or even longer on higher models. Many are in-home service for the first part of the term and parts only afterward. Check your model.
An appliance warranty tracker keeps your garbage disposal's coverage dates and receipt in one place.
What to keep for a garbage disposal
- The receipt and plumber invoice
- Model number, often on a label on the housing
- The manual and the date installed
- The dishwasher drain connection notes if you have a dishwasher
Common questions
How long do garbage disposals last?
Most garbage disposals last 8 to 15 years. The NAHB study lists about 12 years for a disposer.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not spin?
It is usually jammed. Turn power off at the switch and breaker, then free the flywheel with the hex key from underneath, as your manual describes, and press the reset button.
Can I put coffee grounds or grease down the disposal?
Avoid grease, which solidifies in pipes. Small amounts of coffee grounds are usually tolerated but can build up in the trap, so many plumbers advise leaving them out.
How do I maintain a garbage disposal?
Follow your manual first. Each season: spring, run cold water and grind a few ice cubes or citrus peel to clear residue. Check under the sink for drips at the flange, drain connection and dishwasher inlet. Fall, before holiday cooking, avoid fibrous items such as celery and corn husks, grease, coffee grounds in volume, and bones or pits. Test that the reset button on the bottom springs back.