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clogged garbage disposal

Here’s How to Fix Your Garbage Disposal

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GEM

Is your garbage disposal not working? That’s no fun. The good news is, we know everything about garbage disposals and we’re here to help you fix the issue, so you can get your kitchen back on track!

female plumber working on a kitchen sink drain

Common garbage disposal issues

The plumbers at GEM Plumbing & Heating have experience with every garbage disposal issue. Learn more from our experts:

What To Do If Your Garbage Disposal Is Stuck

The first thing to do is look at the underside of your garbage disposal for the red reset button. Push it and see if that works.

If that doesn’t work:

  1. Disconnect your disposal from the power supply.
    • If it’s plugged into a wall outlet, unplug it.
    • If it’s hardwired into an electrical box, go to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker for the disposal.
  2. Get a ¼-inch Allen wrench (there may be one already attached to your disposal) and insert it in the hex hole directly in the center of the bottom of the disposal.
  3. Work it back and forth several times to free up the impeller.
  4. You can try to turn the impeller from the top too. Insert a short broomstick or the handle of your plunger into the disposal and push the impeller arm to try to get it to turn.

What To Do if Something is Stuck in Your Garbage Disposal

If the impeller won’t turn, there’s probably something stuck in the disposal. It could be a steak bone or peach pit, although plumbers report pulling all sorts of inappropriate objects out of disposals, such as bottle caps or aluminum foil. Make sure power to the disposal is off, and look inside to see if you can see the source of the jam.

Never stick your fingers in a disposal. Pull out anything you see with tongs or pliers.

If the disposal still won’t work, it may be time to call a plumber or consider buying a new disposal. GEM Plumbing & Heating is here for all of your garbage disposal needs.

What To Do If Your Garbage Disposal Drain Is Clogged

If your garbage disposal is clogged, it’s likely the result of the drain attached to the disposal being clogged. Here’s the clogged drain or garbage disposal hack that will fix your issue in no time: baking soda.

  1. Take everything out from underneath your sink and put a bucket or other container under your disposal to catch any water that drains out.
  2. Disconnect your disposal from the power supply.
    1. If it’s plugged into a wall outlet, unplug it.
    2. If it’s hardwired into an electrical box, go to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker for the disposal.
  3. Pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. Give the solution a few minutes to fizz and do its work.
  4. Look into the disposal with a flashlight to see if you can see an object that might be causing the clog. If you see it, remove it using tongs or pliers.

More Tips on Dealing With a Clogged Garbage Disposal

  • Never use drain cleaner in a garbage disposal. It can damage the plastic parts inside the disposal. You can also be splashed with the caustic liquid while working to clear the clog.
  • Beware! Never stick your fingers into a garbage disposal. Trust us — not a good idea.
  • In many instances, your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal. This allows the disposal to grind any large food particles that may be drained out of your dishwasher. There are some jurisdictions, however, where the plumbing code prohibits such a connection.

What To Do When Your Dishwasher Drains Through the Disposal

If your dishwasher drains through the disposal, you want to make sure the connection is securely clamped so the hose isn’t blown off by the pressure created by plunging the drain. That would make a mess.

  1. Run some water in the sink so your plunger has at least a ½-inch of water to create a seal and plunge vigorously up and down several times. You may need to repeat this several times.
  2. Run hot water down the drain to clear any residue that remains.

If these tips didn’t help resolve your clogged garbage disposal issue, we’re here to help. GEM’s licensed plumbers have years of experience in drain cleaning and garbage disposals, and they’re at your service for all your plumbing maintenance and repair needs.

What To Do If Your Garbage Disposal Is Leaking From The Bottom

  1. Take everything out from underneath your sink and put a bucket or other container under your disposal to catch any water that drains out.
  2. Disconnect your disposal from the power supply.
    • If it’s plugged into a wall outlet, unplug it.
    • If it’s hardwired into an electrical box, go to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker for the disposal.
    • Note: There are three places where water can leak out of your disposal:
      1. The flange where it’s attached to the sink
      2. The drain hoses
      3. Out the bottom of the disposal
  3. Plug your sink and fill it with a little bit of water. You won’t need much. You can add some food coloring to make it easier to spot leak points.
  4. Pull the plug and watch.
    • Note: Leaking from the flange is common. The seal can be broken from vibration or the disposal being bumped. You’ll need to reseal the connection at the flange.
  5. Disconnect the disposal from the flange and unscrew the bolts that hold the bottom flange in place.
  6. Pop the top flange off from the inside of the sink.
  7. Both the top and bottom flange are sealed with plumber’s putty. Scrape off the old putty, apply a generous amount of new putty on both the top and bottom flange, and bolt the flange back in place in the sink drain.
  8. Reattach the disposal.
    • If the disposal is leaking from the hose or drain line connections, unscrew them and inspect them. Make sure any gaskets inside are still good, replace them if they appear worn, and reattach them securely.
    • If the disposal is leaking out of the bottom, it’s a bad sign. There are several gaskets in the bottom inside a disposal and if one is leaking, it’s only a matter of time before they all leak. You’d have to replace them with gaskets from the manufacturer and it isn’t worth the time and trouble. Expect a garbage disposal to last five to 10 years. They aren’t that expensive, and you’d be better off buying a new one.

And that should get your garbage disposal back to performing the way it’s supposed to!

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