How Long Does A Badger 5 Garbage Disposal Last?

Produced by one of the most recognizable garbage disposal brands on the market, it’s no surprise that Badger 5 garbage disposals are a popular pick for homeowners nationwide.

They’re durable, reliable, and last quite a while, making them a worthwhile investment for many folks.

But how long do these garbage disposals actually last? On average, these garbage disposals last between 6 and 8 years, but some can last even longer. Of course, it all comes down to factors specific to your installation, which we’ll talk about in this article.

Are Badger 5 Garbage Disposals Good Quality?

InSinkErator, the manufacturer behind Badger 5 garbage disposals, is known to produce high-quality products. Its models often feature durable galvanized steel construction, a powerful Dura-Drive induction motor, and permanently lubricated bearings for optimized function.

Of course, like any garbage disposal, it has its drawbacks, and unhappy customers are quick to point out the flaws. However, the vast majority of reviews on the Badger 5 garbage disposals are positive, with many customers mentioning the impressive quality of the units.

How Long Will A Badger 5 Garbage Disposal Last?

Like most garbage disposals, InSinkErator’s Badger 5 garbage disposals usually last anywhere between 6 and 8 years. Some models can last even longer, with a few making it well past the ten-year mark. They’re made with good-quality components, so they often hold up longer than their cheaply-made comrades.

Of course, the length of its lifespan is still highly dependent on several factors specific to you, including the following:

• Use frequency: Some households are busier than others, so these homes usually use their garbage disposals more frequently. Like most products, more frequent use often shortens the lifespan, so a heavily used garbage disposal won’t last as long as its lightly-used comrade.
• Food items: While garbage disposals are designed to handle food waste, they’re not a catch-all for every type of food waste. If you send items like bones, shells, pits, or fibrous scraps down the disposal regularly, your garbage disposal will likely meet an early demise.
• Size: It’s essential to choose the proper garbage disposal size for your home. If the garbage disposal unit is too small, it will struggle to handle the food scraps you ask it to dispose of. So, choose a unit that best matches your household’s disposal needs.
• Care and maintenance: Like any appliance in your home, garbage disposals require routine care and maintenance to ensure everything runs smoothly. So, ensure you stay on top of regular cleaning and upkeep to prolong your disposal’s lifespan.

How Do I Know When My Garbage Disposal Needs To Be Replaced?

Unfortunately, garbage disposals don’t last forever. Eventually, a day will come when you realize your garbage disposal is on its last leg. Or, maybe it’ll just stop working entirely, giving a crystal clear indication that it’s time for a new garbage disposal.

Here are a few typical signs of a garbage disposal that’s preparing to tap out:

Abnormal Noises

Strange noises emanating from your garbage disposal aren’t entirely abnormal, but they should only happen on certain occasions. For example, the usual hum of the disposal will be replaced by a loud, horrific clashing sound if a piece of silverware meanders into the canister.

Or, maybe a kid’s toy managed to end up in the chamber, hidden by the baffle and only recognized when it’s been torn to shreds. In times like these, abnormal noises from your garbage disposal are normal.

But if your garbage disposal begins to produce strange noises regularly without any apparent reason, there’s a good chance it’s on its way out. The noises might be the result of various things, such as a motor that’s failing, but they’re usually a key indicator of impending doom for your garbage disposal.

Frequent Clogs

With any garbage disposal, clogs are inevitable. From time to time, you’ll contend with unwelcome clogs that disrupt your day. It’s almost a rite of passage to own a garbage disposal. You haven’t experienced the joys of owning a garbage disposal until you’ve dealt with the slimy, stinky clumps of partially decomposed food that are clogging the disposal.

You might’ve put too much food in the canister at once, or maybe you forgot to run water as you let the disposal work. Either way, clogs every now and again aren’t abnormal. With a few troubleshooting methods, you can remedy the problem and ensure the system continues to work and drain properly.

When the clogs start happening routinely, such as more than once every week or two, there’s likely something wrong with the system. It could indicate a motor that isn’t able to grind as well as it should anymore, but it usually points to a major issue that spells failure for the unit.

Leaks

A leaking garbage disposal is problematic, especially when it springs a leak underneath the sink. You might not even notice it for a few days, completely oblivious, until a suspect stench begins to waft from your base cabinet.

While minor leaks are relatively common with garbage disposals, massive leaks that result in ruined base cabinets aren’t a typical side effect of a properly installed, correctly functioning system. So, if your garbage disposal randomly springs a leak after a couple of years of use, it’s probably time to replace it.

In some cases, you can repair the unit and fix the leak, but oftentimes, it’s more cost-effective to invest in a new system.

Constant Resets

Most garbage disposals, including the InSinkErator Badger 5, feature a small red reset button on the canister. As the name implies, the reset button is designed to reset the system after an occurrence.

For example, you might need to use it to set the system to rights after removing a massive clog from the system. Or, you might need to use it after a power surge that shut the system down. But when the system is functioning as it should, resets should be fairly infrequent.

If you need to reset your system multiple times per week, or even every day, to get the system to function properly, it’s probably on its way out. A system demanding constant resets to function properly can indicate all sorts of issues, from the motor to the control board, so it’s usually cheaper to replace the entire unit.

Persistent Odors

Given the function of a garbage disposal, foul odors are nearly inevitable from time to time. Food waste can get caught on the inside of the canister, eventually decomposing and releasing pungent odors into your kitchen.

Luckily, correcting the odor is fairly quick and easy, fixed with a simple cleaning process. But when the odors persist and refuse to leave, despite your best efforts, it might be time for a new unit. Sometimes, food particles can work their way into spaces they shouldn’t be, causing the disposal to release foul smells even though you clean it regularly.

While you could go on a treasure hunt for those decomposing particles by disassembling the unit, it might be easier to replace the system. Of course, if it’s a brand-new system, then troubleshooting is the more cost-effective option.

However, if you’ve had the unit for years and it’s producing consistent foul smells, it’s usually best to replace the entire unit.

After all, removing the particles from their place is one thing, but finding the trouble spots and making sure it doesn’t happen again is an entirely different ballgame.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Badger 5 Garbage Disposals Come With A Warranty?

According to InSinkErator’s website, Badger 5 garbage disposals come with a three-year in-home full-service limited warranty. The warranty states that the unit will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for three years after purchasing the product.

This guarantee covers all replacement parts and labor costs, so customers don’t need to worry about pricey plumbing bills associated with the repair when their unit breaks down.

Of course, there are a few exclusions, including general wear and tear or losses, damages, and the inability to operate the system correctly (misuse, abuse, neglect, negligence, accidents, etc.).