Garbage Disposal: lifespan, maintenance and replacement

Typical lifespan: 8–15 years (about 10 years).

Maintenance schedule

• Run with cold water and dish soap — Weekly
• Grind ice cubes and citrus peels to clean — Monthly
• Check for leaks under sink — Every 3 months

Signs it needs replacing

• Frequent clogs or jams
• Bad odors that won't go away
• Leaking from the unit
• Need to press reset button often
• Takes longer to grind food
• Unusual grinding noises

Tips

Never put grease, fibrous foods (celery, corn husks), or expandable foods (pasta, rice) down the disposal.