How to fix a clogged garbage disposal

Written By: Katie Daffer
  • Comments: 2
How to fix a clogged garbage disposal

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

8

Time Required

15 - 20 minutes

Introduction

This guide is to help fix a garbage disposal if it stops working. Most of the time you just have to clean it and it won’t take long. If that does not work here are eight simple steps to help you fix the problem.

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    • Press the red reset button either on the front or on the bottom of your garbage disposal.

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    • Go to your breaker box and look for the breaker for your dishwasher. It may be attached to another appliance. Switch it off.

    • Do not continue without disconnecting the power.

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    • Unplug the garbage disposal from the outlet underneath the sink.

    • Do not continue without disconnecting the power.

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    • Disconnect the garbage disposal pipe from the sewer pipe.

    • There may be excess water in this part of the pipe so place the bucket underneath.

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    • Using two screwdrivers, place them in the hooks on the top of the garbage disposal and push against them clockwise.

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    • Carefully bring down the garbage disposal from where it was connected to the sink.

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    • Remove the splashguard at the top of the garbage disposal that you normally see from the top of your sink.

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    • Using a screwdriver dislodge and remove any items clogging the disposal. This will give you an opportunity to manually move the blades around.

    • Never use your hand to move the blades.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Katie Daffer

Member since: 23/02/16

251 Reputation

2 comments

Would suggest also if you have a garbage disposal that has the hex wrench insert on the bottom you can use that to also spin the impeller to unjam the unit. Otherwise good to go

turbid -

Yes most disposal units come with an Alan key so you can rotate the blades from the bottom of the unit. Rotate in each direction to un jam any thing check the red reset button. Then try it again most jams occur when not enough water is used to flush away the grinds.

Keith -