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As with many appliances, proper maintenance is key to maximizing your garbage disposal’s life span. If everyone in your household is on board with proper care and maintenance, like running water while operating the disposal, you should get plenty of years out of your unit. Avoid putting the wrong food items down the disposal, including pasta, rice, bread, and more.

Whether it's worth repairing your garbage disposal depends on its age and the specific problem. Generally, if the unit is eight years old or younger, repair is a good option. For minor issues like a bad seal or a simple jam, a repair can be inexpensive, sometimes under $10. However, if the motor is broken (a repair that can cost $150 or more) or the unit is getting old, it's often more cost-effective to replace the entire disposal.

The two main negatives of garbage disposals are they are a safety hazard in homes with children, and they frequently encounter blockage issues. While they might be annoying to fix and monitor, garbage disposals can significantly lower your trash use and are a great way to dispose of organic waste. While there are negatives, the vast majority of homeowners acknowledge the positives are enough to install a disposal in their home. 

Most garbage disposals have a reset button that can be triggered with a tool as simple and accessible as your index finger. That said, if you need to perform a more in-depth troubleshooting step, like manually moving the arms inside the unit or rotating the impeller plate, a hex wrench is the most common tool you’ll need. Most garbage disposals come with a hex wrench.