Since your garbage disposal includes elements of the electrical system and plumbing system, there are several things that can go wrong that would need professional repairs. Dulling of the blades could result in the food being improperly processed, which could cause clogs or backups in the plumbing. If an electrical circuit blows or is damaged, then the power to the disposal won’t be working or will be intermittent, requiring a repair. If there is a crack or split in the pipe that’s connected to the garbage disposal drain, you’ll need it repaired before the system can be used again.