Garbage disposals are normally tough, reliable and effective, so when something goes wrong, it immediately raises questions. Is your unit broken? Will it need to be replaced? How long do disposals usually last, anyway?
We’ve got all the answers you need — plus expert tips to help keep your garbage disposal in great shape for years to come.
Quick Takeaways
- The average garbage disposal has a lifespan of 8–15 years.
- Stainless steel models with high-powered motors last longest.
- Overuse, poor upkeep and grinding tough foods shorten service life.
- Repeated jams or resets, leaks and weak grinding are signs of a failing unit.
- Regular cleaning, maintenance and careful use can greatly improve longevity.
The Typical Service Life of a Garbage Disposal
Broadly speaking, most garbage disposals check in with a lifespan of around 8 to 15 years. If that sounds like a rather wide range, that’s because it is. A disposal’s longevity can vary greatly depending on how it’s treated, with neglect or misuse often causing failure much earlier than expected.
On the flipside, units with more horsepower and higher-quality components can last a long time. While price doesn’t necessarily correspond to quality, you generally get what you pay for when it comes to garbage disposals.
Average Lifespan by Disposal Quality
- Entry-Level: 8 years or less
- Mid-Range: 10 to 12 years
- High-End: 12 to 15 years
Factors Affecting How Long a Garbage Disposal Lasts
Many things may add or detract from a garbage disposal’s lifespan, but let’s zero in on a few of the most impactful variables. Many of these factors are entirely within your control, so here’s what you need to know.
- Usage: Pushing a disposal too hard causes unnecessary wear and tear, so think carefully about what you put down the drain — and how often.
- Motor Size: More power means less stress on the unit when breaking down scraps. A motor with at least 3/4 horsepower is ideal for maximum longevity.
- Materials: Plastic and aluminum aren’t very tough. Galvanized steel is better but will still eventually rust. For sheer strength and durability, stainless steel is king.
- Installation: Slapdash wiring, bad seals and other mistakes can doom even top-notch units to failure, so always choose trusted pros for disposal installations.
- Maintenance: Garbage disposals quickly accumulate grease and debris without routine maintenance, blocking the drain and putting strain on the motor.
- Water Hardness: Hard water is a huge problem here in Clearwater, FL, so clean your disposal often to avoid mineral deposits that may clog or damage the unit.
Is Your Garbage Disposal Showing Signs of Failure?
Disposals can be a bit temperamental, especially when heavily used, but when does a minor annoyance turn into a serious red flag?
If you’re dealing with one or more of the following, your equipment may be running on borrowed time:
- Frequent jams or clogged drains
- Loud humming, rattling or grinding
- Slow or incomplete food disposal
- Water leaking under the sink
- Strong and persistent foul odors
- Repeatedly tripping built-in breaker
- Cracks, corrosion or visible damage
Should You Repair or Replace Your Garbage Disposal?
Given the right tools and parts, a skilled professional can fix nearly anything that goes wrong with your disposal. But are repairs really worth it when replacement units are so affordable and quick to install? It’s a tricky decision, so let’s break down the key factors to consider.
When Disposal Repairs Make Sense
Getting your equipment fixed is a no-brainer if the unit is still relatively new, especially if it’s covered under a home or manufacturer warranty. A service call is also a sensible option for isolated issues with easy fixes, such as bad start capacitors, small leaks around the mounting ring or impellers jammed up by stubborn debris.
As a rule of thumb, it’s usually worth making any repairs costing less than half the price of a new installation.
When It’s Time To Install a Replacement
A faulty capacitor or clogged-up drain is usually a cheap fix, but when these one-off problems become reoccuring headaches, the bills can pile up fast.
If your aging or unreliable garbage disposal has you making regular service calls, installing all-new hardware can save you serious time, money and frustration. The same goes for major malfunctions requiring extensive and costly repairs, such as large cracks, motor failures or rusted impeller blades.
Six Keys to Maximizing Your Garbage Disposal’s Lifespan
Your garbage disposal may not be indestructible, but that doesn’t mean its lifespan is out of your hands. Indeed, there’s a lot you can do to minimize wear and tear and keep your equipment firing on all cylinders. Start today by following these practical, no-nonsense tips from our local plumbing experts:
Flush With Plenty of Cold Water
It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s important to use only cold water whenever your disposal is running. This keeps fat and other food waste as firm as possible, allowing the impellers to grind it into pieces instead of turning it into a gummy, drain-clogging mess.
And don’t be stingy — let the water continue running for at least 30 seconds before and after using the disposal to flush away all remaining debris.
Avoid Troublesome Food Scraps
Just because your garbage disposal is capable of chewing through almost anything doesn’t mean you should let it. Wood, plastic and metal items are obvious no-gos, but even certain foods can prematurely wear out internal components and cause other issues.
In particular, steer clear of:
- Onion skins, corn husks, celery and other fibrous scraps
- Starchy foods like bread, pasta, rice and potato peels
- Cooking oil, butter, grease and other fats and oils
- Hard items like bones, pits, shells and corn cobs
- Meat scraps, especially skin, fat trimmings and gristle
- Coffee grounds, loose-leaf tea and eggshells
Practice Patience and Moderation
Good things may or may not come to those who wait, but bad things certainly come to those who don’t. Trying to grind up too much waste at once can overwhelm your garbage disposal and stress the motor, so take it slow and flush your scraps a little at a time.
Follow Good Hygiene Practices
Garbage disposals do a tough, dirty job, but you can make it easier by keeping your equipment fresh and clean. Grind up a handful of ice cubes every month to break up stuck-on gunk inside the unit, and follow up with deodorizing baking soda and vinegar. If desired, finish with a small amount of citrus peel to leave behind a lovely scent.
Keep It Moving With Regular Use
While overworking your disposal isn’t great, letting it sit for extended periods can be just as bad. Fire it up at least a few times a week to prevent the impeller blades from rusting and the seals from drying out. Even better, periodically fill the sink with cold water and dish soap before draining to clear away residual debris.
Know When To Call In the Pros
Want your garbage disposal to last? Don’t ignore signs of trouble or try your hand at DIY repairs.
If your disposal is making odd noises, smelling unpleasant or simply not working correctly, don’t hesitate to have it checked by a qualified plumber.
FAQs About Garbage Disposal Longevity
What’s the average life of a garbage disposal?
You can expect to get around a decade of use out of a typical disposal, give or take a couple of years. Higher-end equipment may last even longer, while cheap materials or poor installation can potentially cut a unit’s lifespan in half.
Can garbage disposals last 20 years?
It’s hardly commonplace, but high-quality stainless steel disposals are capable of hitting the 20-year mark. You can boost your odds of reaching this impressive milestone by avoiding bad habits and practicing diligent cleaning and maintenance.
What shortens the life of a garbage disposal?
Speaking of bad habits, most disposals that fail prematurely suffer from overuse caused by fibrous foods, starches, bones, grease and other tough or sludgy materials. Improper installation and inadequate upkeep can also shave years off a unit’s service life.
Is it worth repairing an old garbage disposal?
Alas, probably not. For units already nearing their expected lifespan, repairs may only delay the inevitable. A new disposal will likely be more dependable and efficient, making it a smarter long-term value.
Do stainless steel components really last longer?
Yes! While material type is far from the only variable, stainless steel disposals do indeed boast significantly better reliability and long-term performance than those made from galvanized steel, plastic and aluminum.
Need a New Garbage Disposal in Clearwater, FL?
If your current garbage disposal is destined for the scrap heap, make sure your replacement is built to last with help from your local pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We’re the punctual plumbers you can trust for fast, full-service garbage disposal installations — satisfaction guaranteed!
Our top-rated services are available throughout Clearwater, FL and neighboring communities, so drop us a line today!