Residential trash compactor inspection, troubleshooting & repair guide:

Basic things to check first if the trash compactor is not working properly.

This article series gives links to collections of repair guides, manuals and information for common home appliances.

Trash Compactor Inspection & Repair

Trash compactor inspect, Diagnose, Repair Guides:

Shown here:

KitchenAid 15" Stainless Steel Built-In Trash Compactor - KTTS505ESS

[Click to enlarge any image]

• KITCHEN AID TRASH COMPACTOR MANUAL [PDF] retrieved 2018/10/05
• KITCHEN AID TRASH COMPACTOR DIMENSIONS GUIDE [PDF] retrieved 2018/10/05
• HUD Dictionary of DEFICIENCY DEFINITIONS, (PASS) www.hud.gov/offices/reac/pdf/pass_dict2.3.pdf retrieved 4/4/2013 excerpt from description:
  
  HUD and its partners have completed a comprehensive review of the REAC Physical Inspection definitions.\
  
  For purposes of illustration, the document presents the original definition at the top of each page with the modified definition at the bottom, where applicable.
  
  This document includes HUD comments on trash compactors in HUD financed buildings.

As noted in Carson Dunlop Associates Home Reference Guide:

Watch out: Trash compactors have numerous fail-safe devices. The compactor will not operate if the door is open, the unit is not level, the bin latch mechanism has not been closed, or if the safety interlock switch is not activated.

The switch is a key lock that must be in the “ON” position for the unit to work.

The removable key allows the unit to be deactivated. If bottles and glass must be compacted, they should be at the bottom and additional waste placed on top.

Aerosol cans or other explosive objects should never be placed in the unit.

To avoid odors around the trash compactor, preferably, only dry trash should be used in the compactor, since this will reduce odors.

Most units are equipped with an automatic aerosol deodorant dispenser. This is activated once the ram has completed its cycle.

If the compactor does not operate at all, the fuse or breaker at the main panel may have tripped, the safety interlock switch may be “off “ or faulty, the motor may be faulty, the overload protection switch may have tripped, or there may be a loose electrical connection or damaged cord.

If the ram does not compact trash, the drive chain or belt may be loose or broken, the gears or pulleys may be loose, or the ram may be seized.

If the trash compactor is too noisy or vibrates excessively  the drive chain or belt may be loose, the compactor may need lubricating, or there may be loose mechanical connections. If the unit is loose, it should be re-secured.

If the drawer will not open, the ram may be jammed, or the unit stopped working part way through a cycle.

If the trash compactor continues to run, one of the switches may be faulty.

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Where to Obtain a Printed Copy of the Carson Dunlop Associates' Home Reference Book

To purchase a more extensive printed collection of information about home inspection and maintenance see

• The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
  
• The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
  

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Continue reading at APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• APPLIANCE NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• APPLIANCE DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home

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TRASH COMPACTOR REPAIR at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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