Need to replace the disposal?

We moved in a house in Florida recently and notice there is bad odor from the disposal. Tried pour in bleach, vinegar, to get it to go away but didn't work well.

So I asked help from a plumber. He put ice into the disposal and run it, not worked. He told me he could try some lemons, however, the smell would most likely keep coming back as the old food had worn away at the 'lining' of the disposal making it almost certain that new food would seep into this 'lining' and start to smell again. He told me once a disposal started smelling like that, there was basically nothing you can do but replace it.

Do I really need to replace the disposal just because the odor? Or improper chemicals were used.

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for your time.

I would try the lemon peels as suggested (it is akin to bad breath- it needs to be rinsed once in a while) or deodorizer packets are available. Be sure the trap is operational and is not being sucked dry.

Get a load of this moronic moment...

Had a very bad odor at the sink. Had to be that &%#*@ GD! Rinsed, douched all kinds of deodorizers. Gotta replace it...

Daughter comes in a few days later and throws away a stinky grease can sitting next to the sink...

...moron...

Thanks a lot for the suggestion.The trap is good. Will try lemon and deodorizer packets.
I noticed there are garbage disposal cleaners avaible in Home Depot and Lowes. Are they just deodorizers or they can also remove the built-ups in disposal?

One further question: will a corroded surface (by old food) in disposal keep giving us bad odor problem even if the disposal is frequently rinsed?

Considering how inexpensive disposals are, I'd recommend a replacement if it is smelly and corroded.

Thanks for the suggestion. A replacement is not expensive. Parts plus 2-hour labor will be around $300.

Since it works and there is always some kind of corroed metal parts in disposal, what I am thinking is why not let it run till the end if some chemicals can get the odor to go away. So the money can be saved for something else.

Bluesky said:

Parts plus 2-hour labor will be around $300.

Click to expand...

You can pick up a disposal at any big box store for ~$65, and takes about 10-15 minutes to install it. If you go this route, we will be here to guide you through the entire process. Just something to think about...........

The idea of cost was from my plumber.
I took a look at the websites of Lowes and Home Depot. You are right. There are so many disposals under 100 bucks for me to choose from. 10-15 minutes is for you guys, professionals, not for me , although I think myself is kind of handy. But it is definitly worth to try myself with strong support from nice people here.
I will find some videos from youtube before starting it.

Will update the status. Have a great day!

Professionals? Yep, we have lots here, but me, heck, I'm just an old retired guy who is too cheap to pay for a professional.

!!!300.00!!!

IIRC, three screws to connect the top flange, two screws to connect the down pipe, three wire nuts to connect the power cord, and a hose clamp if you have a dishwasher. The hardest part of the whole process is pulling all the crap out of the cabinet so you can get to the disposal.

Heck, fly me to Florida (R/T) and I will do it for free!

havasu said:

IIRC, three screws to connect the top flange, two screws to connect the down pipe, three wire nuts to connect the power cord, and a hose clamp if you have a dishwasher. The hardest part of the whole process is pulling all the crap out of the cabinet so you can get to the disposal.

Heck, fly me to Florida (R/T) and I will do it for free!

Click to expand...

^ Me too, me too

Me too. Oh!! I forgot I'm here.

John

You guys are funny! Thanks for making me relax. It sounds like not as difficult as I thought.

BTW, my neighbor was charged, by same plumber, 1-hour labor for toilet flapper replacement. In my mind it is a easy job. Is there a thing called minimum charge?

I should have gone to school to be a plumber instead of "keeping streets safe!" Actually, you should expect a service call charge and/or a minimum time fee. These professionals spent many hours learning their profession, and don't work for free. You also have to consider their drive time to assist you.

Time = money!

BTW, have you purchased my airline tickets yet? I'll even throw in a toilet flapper while I am there!

I see. My neighbor's case might only be explained as minimum charge. The plumber is 5 minutes away and it was not an emergency.
Have a good night!