How to tell if a garbage disposal is going bad?

You can tell if a garbage disposal is going bad by watching for several warning signs that indicate wear, corrosion, or motor failure. First, listen for unusual noises. A healthy disposal has a consistent grinding hum. If it starts making loud rattling, grinding metal-on-metal, squealing, or excessive vibration, the grinding plates, impellers, or bearings are worn or loose. Second, check for frequent jams and resets. If you need to press the red reset button on the bottom or use the hex wrench to free it more than occasionally, the motor is weakening or the chamber is worn. Third, look for persistent odors that do not go away after cleaning with ice and citrus, which can mean food is trapped in corroded crevices. Fourth, check for leaks. Water leaking from the bottom of the unit itself, not just from the top flange or side connections, usually means internal seals have failed from rust and the unit needs replacement. Fifth, observe performance. If it takes much longer to grind food, leaves larger particles, or clogs frequently, the grinding components are dull or corroded. Sixth, check age. If your disposal is 8 to 12 years old, especially a builder-grade model, it is near the end of its expected life. Electrical issues like not turning on at all or tripping the breaker repeatedly also indicate motor failure.