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Solving the 4 Most Common Trash Compactor Problems

A trash compactor is indeed a great investment if your office or facility produces a lot of trash. Although it helps manage your trash properly, it can be a source of frustration if the compactor develops issues. Below is a list of problems and how you can fix them yourself.

1. Door Won’t Open

It’s difficult to use your trash compactor if the door won’t open. Of course, there are different reasons why you may not be able to get the door open. However, the most common is when there is an accumulation of dirt impeding the door. The solution to this problem is to clean the door frame each time you put garbage into the appliance. Modern trash compactors come with a removable front plate through which you can check for trash buildup when you can’t get the door open.

Get rid of the dirt and make sure you give the appliance a thorough cleaning as soon as the door starts functioning again. If after clearing the blockage the problem persists, you may either have a faulty switch or a damaged drawer.

2. No Power

For most facilities and offices, one of the most common problems encountered is that the trash compactor won’t start. This can happen for a number of reasons. First, check to see if the unit is plugged in. If otherwise, just plug it back in. if this doesn’t fix it, it’s likely that the breaker has been tripped. Check to see if the compactor’s door is closed. Most compactors won’t power on if the door is open. If the appliance still won’t turn on, Double check to see that the electrical outlet is in good working condition by plugging in a different appliance.

3. Appliance Smells Bad

Just like your trash develops a bad odour if not disposed of properly, a trash contractor may also start to stink. In some case, scraps of food waste and other items spill out of the bag and stick to the ram. Over time, these items can decay and develop a bad smell. The best solution is to keep the compactor clean. Give all accessible areas of your trash compactor a thorough wipe using household cleaners or specialty cleaners. To get rid of the bad odours effectively, use an antibacterial formula. Keeping your compactor clean reduces the risk of bad odour.

4. It’s Noisy

Your trash compactor may start making strange sounds for many different reasons. The reason why it’s moaning is either that trash has become stuck or the compactor has an internal issue that must be addressed. Check to see if trash has gotten stuck and remove it carefully if so. And if there is none, disconnect the unit from power and call a professional.

As with other appliances, trash compactor can develop issues. With these few tips, you can get your compactor back up and running in no time at all. Power issues that deal with internal components are best left to the professional. Do not open the appliance if the warranty is still valid; otherwise, you may void it.

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