Your garbage disposal has become indispensable, correct? When it develops a problem, your sink could clog, smells can start to emerge from the sink, and mealtime clean-up can take a lot longer. Here's 5 quick fix solution for common garbage disposal problems that might come in handy somewhere down the road.
Starting with the most common problem:
Jammed Garbage Disposal
Make sure to flip the switch and listen for the hum, which signals that something's gotten caught between the impellers and the shredding ring, if the steps below don't work, check out our full article on how to fix a jammed garbage disposal.
Step 1 - Turn off power at electrical box or unplug the unit.
Step 2 - Insert an offset allen wrench into the unit's bottom slot and turn it first clockwise, and then counterclockwise to try to dislodge jam. If it's freed up, it's unjammed.
Step 3 - Run a thick dowel rod, broom handle or long nosed pliers down the disposer to try to free up impellers (remember, never stick a hand into the disposal unless you are certain the power is off).
Step 4 - Turn power back on, push the reset button once, turn the water on, and flip disposal off and on a few times to get rid of the guilty culprit that caused the jam.
Leaking Garbage Disposal
If the quick steps below don't work, check out our full article on how to fix a leaking garbage disposal
Step 1. Turn off the disposal.
Step 2 - If a top flange is leaking, remove your disposal with a clockwise turn from the bottom. If mounting bolts are tight, take them off and either replace plumber's putty with new putty or use a drop of silicone caulk instead. Replace flange and disposal, power up the unit and see if it's still leaking.
Step 3 - If the leak's at your dishwasher connection, tighten the hose clamp that's connected to your disposer's dishwasher inlet. Replace the hose if it's leaking or damaged.
Step 4 - If the leak is by the discharge that's connected to the drainpipe, tighten all bolts around it and run a small bit of water. If the discharge is still leaking, replace the gasket between disposer and pipe, and then put the pipe back together.
Disposal Has No Power
Step 1- Make sure no buzz or hum is coming from the jammed disposal. No noise means no power.
Step 2 - Make sure plug hasn't been loosened.
Step 3 - Check for the red reset button at the bottom of the unit. If it has popped out, push it.
Step 4 - Check circuit breaker - it might need to be reset.
Step 5 - If your garbage disposal still isn't running, you have either a damaged disposal or a bad switch. Step 6 - The switch needs to be replaced. If you're not comfortable working around electrical equipment, it's time to call the electrician.
Disposal or Drain Is Clogged
If these steps don't work, find out how to unclog your drain or garbage disposal in our full write-up
Step 1 - If your garbage disposal won't drain, or is having some trouble draining, disconnect your drain trap (the S or P shaped plumbing line that follows the disposer's discharge) and remove it from discharge drain.
Step 2 - Clean out any obstructions or clogs.
Step 3 - If there are no clogs inside the trap, it's likely that a clog exists inside the line that connects to the wall.
Step 4 - Try using a plunger and see if clog can be dislodged with force and water.
Step 5 - Remove the sink stopper and extend a sink auger cable down into the drain. Crank the auger handles until you can feel the clog. Keep applying gentle pressure on the clog until you've worked through it. Step 6 - Repeat as necessary until all the clog is removed. Make sure to flush pipes using hot water once you've cleaned the drain.
Garbage Disposal Blades Aren't Moving
Step 1 - If you've removed the blockage, and the disposal's blades still aren't moving, you'll need to check the flywheel. (This could be the reason if you've noticed some leakage down at the disposal's bottom).
Step 2 - Make certain that the circuit breaker, as well as the garbage disposal, is turned off.
Step 3 - Find the machine's hex hole and use a hex wrench to loosen the flywheel. Once it's disconnected, clean out any accumulated debris.
Step 4 - If you think there's a problem with the blades, disconnect all the hose fittings and remove any debris that is in the impellers.
Step 5 - Take a look at the garbage disposal manual to see if there's a possibility that you can sharpen the disposer's blades. If the manual says OK, go ahead and sharpen them; it will prevent some future clogging.
Step 6 - It's time to reassemble your garbage disposal and retest.
If these steps didn't work, check out our full guide on how to fix a jammed garbage disposal.
Is your current garbage disposal giving you problems? It may be time to upgrade! Check out our comparison table below on the latest 2023 models:
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My garbage disposal makes a very loud noise when I run it. What may the problem be? Thanks, Sindee
disposal hums but the blades still move
Last night my garbage disposal seemed jammed and it won’t break anything down. It’s good to know that you should listen to a hum when it’s turned on and see if something is caught in the impellers. I’ll be sure to call a professional to fix my disposal since I don’t know what to do with it.
water and food comes up the other sink when i use the disposal
Thank you.
Did not hear him, but did wrench and then wooden handle and it now works.
Appreciate the information.
– Christopher Battles