How To Fix A Clogged Garbage Disposal

Turn off the power and insert a long dowel a wooden spoon or a broom handle never your hand into the drain opening.

How to fix a clogged garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are usually an easy fix but always remember to unplug the unit before attempting to clear a jam. Garbage disposal has one function to ground up debris so it doesn t clog the pipes but there will be at least a small part of it coming down with each wash. If your garbage disposal sink is clogged there are several ways you can try to fix it without having to call a plumber. It s not uncommon for water to spill out of the pipes as you disconnect them. Insert a 1 4 inch allen wrench or the specially designed tool into the hex socket at the bottom of the garbage disposal.

Check the reset button and turn the disposal on. Oftentimes a sink can be unclogged using a plunger or baking soda and white vinegar. Manually turning the blades on your disposer will help you identify where the clog is. After you have poured baking soda into the disposal drain pour about a half of a cup of vinegar into the drain with it. You will need to manually run it to remove the clog.

Manually turn your blades to try breaking up clogged materials. If the blades are still stuck rotate them with an allen wrench or a specialty garbage disposal wrench. In some cases you may find that your disposer is clogged under your sink. If you detected a clogged pipe turn of the disposal then fill the sink with soapy water and leave it for 30 seconds. Push the bottom end of the wooden probe against the impeller the blades that grind up the garbage and rock it back and forth to free it.

Learn how with this video. Also see what happens when something gets ground up. It s easy to fix a garbage disposal when it gets stuck. Before trying to unclog it always switch off the garbage disposal s power source for safety purposes. First pour roughly a quarter of a cup of baking soda into the disposal.

If your garbage disposal is still clogged you ll need to call a plumber. The trap will be full of water and most likely food waste. Place a catch bucket beneath the disposal s drain trap. There is no need to try and evenly spread the baking soda around the disposal because the ensuing reaction with vinegar will do that job. If the disposal is still clogged follow these steps.