A garbage disposal helps keep your kitchen cleaner and makes discarding food scraps easier. But like any appliance, it wears out over time. If yours is acting up, you might be wondering how long this appliance is supposed to last — and how to tell when it’s time for a repair or replacement.

Let’s look at how long you can expect your disposal to last and how to make it last longer.

How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?

Most garbage disposals last around 12 years, on average. How long yours lasts depends on several factors, including how often you use it, what you put down the disposal, and how well you maintain it.

Garbage disposals used heavily or treated like trash compactors tend to break down faster. But if you’re careful with what goes into your disposal and do a little basic maintenance now and then, your unit can last much longer.

How to Extend Your Garbage Disposal’s Lifespan

A few simple habits can help your garbage disposal last longer and work better:

Run cold water during use. Cold water helps grease solidify, so it moves through the drain more easily.
Avoid fibrous or starchy foods. Don’t put potato peels, celery, corn husks, or banana peels down the drain. These foods can tangle around the blades or cause clogs.
Clean it regularly. Pour a mix of ice cubes and coarse salt into your disposal to scrub the inside. For odors, add baking soda followed by vinegar and rinse with cold water, or drop some lemon slices down the disposal.
Break large scraps into smaller pieces. Feed scraps in slowly instead of dumping everything in at once. This helps prevent potential jams.
Perform routine garbage disposal maintenance. Check for loose parts, signs of wear, or minor leaks. Catching small issues early can help prevent bigger problems down the line.
Skip harsh chemical cleaners. These can damage the parts inside the garbage disposal. Stick to natural or gentle cleaning methods.
Let it run a bit longer. After the grinding stops, keep the water running for 10 to 15 seconds to make sure the drain is fully cleared.

When to Replace Your Garbage Disposal: 6 Signs

If your garbage disposal isn’t working like it used to, it may be time for a repair or even a full replacement. Here are some common signs to watch for:

1. It Keeps Clogging

If your garbage disposal gets clogged occasionally, it’s usually not a big deal. But if you’re only putting in food scraps and liquids that can safely go down a garbage disposal and it still clogs regularly, it could be a sign that the motor is on its last legs or the grinding rings are too dull to grind properly.

You may also notice water backing up into the sink or draining slowly after use. Frequent clogs are a sign that your unit is no longer effectively performing its job.

2. It’s Leaking

Some leaks are fixable, especially if they’re coming from the sink flange or a loose connection. But if water is leaking from the bottom of the garbage disposal, that usually means there’s internal damage to the unit.

Cracks in the body or broken seals are harder to fix and often require a full replacement. Left alone, leaks can damage the cabinet under your sink or cause mold to grow.

A woman’s hand holding a blue towel against a garbage disposal leaking water under a sink.

3. It Makes Strange Noises

Loud grinding, rattling, or buzzing sounds can mean something is stuck inside the disposal or one of the internal parts is broken. A spoon or piece of silverware might cause temporary noise, but if the sound continues after clearing out the disposal, something more serious could be going on. Worn-down parts or loose components can keep the unit from working safely or correctly.

4. It Needs Frequent Resets

The reset button is there to protect the garbage disposal’s motor. If you must press it regularly to get the unit to run, that’s not normal. This can be a sign of electrical issues, overheating, or a failing motor. Over time, these problems usually get worse.

If your unit keeps shutting down, a garbage disposal replacement might be more cost-effective than another repair.

5. It Smells Bad (Even After Cleaning)

Disposals can sometimes smell of food residue, but those odors should go away with a quick cleaning. If you’ve tried cleaning the garbage disposal using multiple techniques — ice cubes, vinegar, baking soda, lemon, or citrus rinds — and the odor still comes back, that could mean food is stuck deep inside or the grinding rings aren’t working correctly anymore.

A worn-out unit may not fully break down food, which can lead to lingering odors and food buildup.

A woman trying not to smell something unpleasant coming from the kitchen sink.

6. It Won’t Turn On

If your garbage disposal doesn’t make any noise or movement at all, and you’ve already checked the power and reset it, the motor may have failed. In this case, a repair may not be worth it, especially if the unit is more than a few years old. Replacing the disposal is often the better solution when it’s not responding at all.

Related: Buying tips for replacing the garbage disposal in your kitchen.

Should You Repair or Replace Your Garbage Disposal?

Sometimes, a simple repair to your garbage disposal, such as fixing a loose connection or unjamming the grinding ring, is worth it. If your disposal is under 12 years old and hasn’t had many issues, fixing it can be the best option.

But if you’ve been dealing with repeated clogs, resets, or strange noises, and your unit is close to or more than 12 years old, a replacement is probably your best bet. Repairs can add up, and an older unit may keep breaking down.

Get Help When Your Garbage Disposal Stops Working

A home warranty plan from First American includes garbage disposal coverage and can help cover repairs and replacements when yours breaks. Plans also cover many additional home appliances and systems you use every day, so you don’t have to deal with broken household items alone.

Get a free home warranty quote today and learn more about the budget protection and peace of mind our plans provide.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.