Unclog Your Garbage Disposal: A Quick 6-Step Guide
Your garbage disposal plays a key role in your day-to-day living. When it functions correctly, you’ll enjoy smoother cleanup and faster drainage. Plus, your kitchen will smell better. But you must be careful with what you put in the disposal because certain items increase the risk of clogs.
Fixing a clogged disposal may require a simple DIY approach or it could necessitate having to hire a plumber. Let’s take a close look at how to troubleshoot the problem both safely and effectively.
Quick Takeaways
- Many garbage disposal clogs are easily fixable by pushing the reset button or using a hex wrench.
- It’s very important to make sure the power is off before working on a disposal.
- A brief inspection inside the drain can reveal food scraps causing the blockage.
- Using baking soda and vinegar can help loosen and flush out stuck debris.
- Always familiarize yourself with what you can and cannot put in a disposal.
- Some clogs may require professional help from a skilled plumber.
Signs Your Garbage Disposal Is Clogged
It’s usually very easy to see whether a garbage disposal is clogged. If you turn the unit on but it doesn’t grind, there’s probably a blockage or jam.
Here are some other signs to watch for:
- Water backs up into the opposite sink basin
- Motor overheats and shuts off
- Reset button keeps popping out
- Foul odors coming from the drain
- Disposal hums but doesn’t grind
Safety First — Turn Off Power Before You Begin
Garbage disposals can be dangerous to work on because they connect to the electrical system. Double-checking that the power is completely disconnected is the only way to stay safe and avoid accidents.
You can do this by turning off the breaker that controls the disposal and testing its switch to make sure it doesn’t run when flipped on.
Step-by-Step: How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal
We’ve put together a quick DIY guide for fixing clogged garbage disposals. If you don’t feel comfortable with any of the steps, give us a call. We’ll send a skilled plumber to fix the clog for you.
Step 1 – Press the Reset Button
Most garbage disposals will shut themselves off when they experience a jam or clog. When this happens, the reset button will pop out.
You can manually push it to see whether the unit starts running again. You may need to move to the next steps before clicking the reset button if the clog is still present.
Step 2 – Remove Visible Blockages
Use a flashlight to look deep into the drain for stuck food particles and utensils. Don’t use your hands to pull out anything.
Instead, use a pair of tongs. This makes it easier to reach farther into the drain and also protects your fingers from injury.
Step 3 – Use a Hex Wrench to Manually Turn the Blades
Your disposal has a small opening on the bottom of it where you can insert a hex wrench and move the motor’s flywheel (grinding plate) manually. As it rotates, it will loosen and free the stuck scraps.
Step 4 – Flush With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Once you’ve removed as much debris as possible, pour baking soda down the drain first, followed by vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes; it will fizz and bubble as it breaks up the stuck residue and grime. Finish this step by flushing the drain with hot water.
Step 5 – Use a Sink Plunger if Needed
If you suspect the disposal has a clog further in the drain line, a plunger may be able to break it loose. Just make sure the sink is partially filled with water before you start plunging. This will ensure a good, tight seal, which is essential to getting as much suction as possible.
Step 6 – Clean the P-Trap
Your kitchen sink has a P-trap underneath it that’s responsible for catching debris and preventing sewer gases from entering your home.
But over time, this curved section can become clogged with grease, food particles, and sludge. Cleaning it will help prevent slow drains and stubborn clogs.
What Not to Put in a Garbage Disposal
When you know what not to put in a garbage disposal, it’s very easy to avoid clogs and jams.
- Grease and oil solidify and clog pipes
- Eggshells and shells create abrasive grainy buildup
- Fibrous vegetables wrap around the blades
- Coffee grounds form dense, sludgy blockages
- Pasta and rice expand and obstruct drainage
- Fruit pits damage blades and motors
How to Prevent Future Garbage Disposal Clogs
Establishing simple habits can make a huge difference in preventing future clogs:
- Use cold water when running the disposal for everyday use; hot water when cleaning.
- Give the disposal plenty of time to fully break down food before you switch it off during each use.
- Grind ice cubes once a month to clean the grinding chamber.
- Grind citrus peels every few weeks to keep odors under control.
- Book regular plumbing maintenance.
FAQ
What items are safe to put in a garbage disposal?
Soft foods, cooked vegetables, liquid foods and soups, and small amounts of citrus peels.
How long do most garbage disposals last?
Most garbage disposals have an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years as long as they receive proper care and use.
How long do garbage disposal clogs take to repair?
Garbage disposal repairs can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to complete. The severity and location of the clog both impact the repair’s timeline.
Get Fast, Professional Garbage Disposal Repair Today
Here at Clearwater Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our plumbers are very familiar with common garbage disposal issues. We’ll inspect your unit to pinpoint the exact problem and choose the best repair method. We make it simple to get fast help so you can continue your day without unnecessary interruptions.
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today! We’re Clearwater’s punctual plumbers!