Your kitchen’s garbage disposal prevents clog-forming food waste from going down your sink drain. However, a jammed garbage disposal can fail to ground up food and leave you dealing with unwanted odors and poor plumbing. How do you unjam a garbage disposal and get it working properly?
The plumbing experts at Grasshopper Heating & Cooling share the process they follow when handling malfunctioning disposal units. Reading this information lets you know what to expect during a typical repair service.
Evaluate Any Performance Problems
Before you contact a plumber for repairs, it’s important to figure out what’s wrong with your unit. Take note of the issues you’re experiencing, such as:
- A humming sound when the system runs
- A slow-draining sink
- The light switch won’t turn on or off
- A leak at the bottom of the disposal
Contact a plumber and explain what’s happening with your system. They can typically figure out what’s wrong with your unit based on the symptom and fix it quickly.
Gather the Appropriate Tools
When troubleshooting measures aren’t enough, how do you unjam a garbage disposal? Plumbers tasked with fixing jammed garbage disposals need to gather various tools, including:
- An Allen wrench
- A hex wrench
- Needle nose pliers
- Screwdrivers
- A sink plunger
This equipment will come in handy when the system can’t grind up food particles or you hear the motor hum.
Rule Out Electrical Issues With the Circuit Breaker
Ask an expert, “How do you unjam a garbage disposal?” and they’ll tell you the first step often involves basic electrical troubleshooting. A quick inspection will let a plumber know if the problem stems from faulty electrical systems, such as a tripped circuit breaker or a power cord that isn’t connected directly to the wall outlet.
As long as there isn’t water leaking from the bottom of the unit, specialists can restore power to the system by adjusting the internal circuit breaker or plugging it into an electrical outlet. Most disposals have a reset button as well that you can press to restore its function. You’ll often find the reset power switch at the bottom of the garbage disposal.
If the disposal still doesn’t work, it’s worth exploring replacing an old fuse box or electrical service panel. When all electrical components appear fine, plumbers may have to remove a hard object that’s stuck inside the sink’s drain.
Rotate the Blades and Impeller Plate of the Garbage Disposal Unit
A foreign object may prevent the motor shaft and blades from rotating properly. To correct this issue, your Clifton Park plumber needs to move a disposal wrench back and forth on the outer edge of the unit beneath the sink. With the system still in the off position, they can take a wooden spoon or broom handle and put it into the disposal to dislodge the stuck impeller plate.
How do you unjam a garbage disposal with tight blades? If there is any standing water left in the sink, plumbers will pass it through the drain with a plunger. They then loop an Allen wrench through the blade access hole and carefully rotate it until the blades begin to move with ease.
Use Safe Garbage Disposal Practices Going Forward
Now that you know what goes into unjamming your garbage disposal, it’s important to prevent this issue from happening again. Make sure you use the unit safely with the following practices:
- Avoid putting tough food scraps into the unit: Banana peels, chicken bones, eggshells, and other waste can all damage garbage disposals. Keep your system safe by placing them in the trash bin instead of down the drain.
- Run cold water when you turn the disposal on: Cold water prevents any fat or grease from liquifying and clogging your drain.
- Use the system regularly: Letting the unit sit idle for long periods makes it prone to rust and corrosion.
- Keep the blades sharp: Pour a cup of ice into the disposal and run it every so often to help sharpen the blades.
Other maintenance tips include using the reset button when necessary and replacing a worn-out shredder ring.
Let a Professional Plumber Fix Your Faulty Garbage Disposal Unit – Contact Grasshopper Heating & Cooling
At Grasshopper Heating & Cooling, we can answer all of your questions about kitchen plumbing, including, “How do you unjam a garbage disposal?” and “What are ways to keep a garbage disposal from smelling?” Reach out to our licensed plumbers if you’re having issues with any of your kitchen plumbing fixtures, including a jammed disposal. Call (518) 545-3271 to request immediate service.
