Ways to Unlcog Your Garbage Disposal
1. Check for Stuck Food and Other Debris
Even if you’ve turned the disposal power switch off, don’t be tempted to put your hand down into the unit. Instead, use a flashlight to peer down into the disposal to see if you can determine what’s causing the problem. If you can see something, shut off the power to the unit either by unplugging it from the wall, turning off the breaker, or pulling the fuse. Then, use pliers, tongs, or a wooden spoon handle to remove the item that’s caught.
If the flywheel is jammed, you may be able to free it using the supplied tool or wrench that came with the unit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about where to insert the tool and how to turn it.
2. Reset the Unit
If you can’t see anything obstructing the disposal, the unit may have overheated. Try pushing the reset button which is usually found under the bottom or on the side of the main disposal unit (under the sink), and turn the unit on again.
3. Avoid Chemical Cleaners
Don’t be tempted to use commercial drain cleaners. The chemicals used in these cleaners can harm disposal parts. Instead, try pouring a kettle or pot of boiling water down the drain to break up clogs. It may be necessary to repeat this several times to free the clog.
If plain boiling water doesn’t work, try pouring a half-cup of baking soda followed by a cup or two of white or apple cider vinegar down the unit. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes or so, then try pouring boiling water down again. You can repeat this process as many times as needed.
4. Use a Toilet Plunger for Difficult Clogs
For stubborn clogs, a toilet plunger may do the trick. Place the plunger over the disposal opening, and run enough water over the plunger to create suction. If you have a double sink and one plunger doesn’t work, get two plungers and ask someone to help you. Have one person use a plunger to seal off the second sink side while the other person plunges the disposal side.
5. Run the Dishwasher
If you have a dishwasher attached to the main line that runs to the garbage disposal, you can try running the dishwasher to see if that helps clear the clog.
Preventing a Clogged Garbage Disposal in the Future
Of course, the easiest way to deal with clogs is to avoid them! When using your disposal, remember to run water during use and for at least 20 seconds after you turn off the unit. Read your manual carefully and avoid disposing non-food items or foods that are known to cause problems. Some common clog culprits include potato skins, carrots, celery, corncobs, artichokes, bones, and congealed grease. Feed food slowly into the disposal, and avoid dumping large amounts in at one time.
If you can’t unclog the garbage disposal, or if your unir isn’t working correctly after clogging, you’ll need to call a qualified repair professional.
If the disposal is still clogged, follow these steps:
- Turn off the power and insert a long dowel, a wooden spoon, or a broom handle — never your hand — into the drain opening.
- Push the bottom end of the wooden probe against the impeller (the blades that grind up the garbage) and rock it back and forth to free it.
- When the impeller moves freely, wait 15 minutes for the motor to cool, turn on the power, and push the reset button.
Some disposal models come with a large L-shaped hex wrench. If you have such a model, turn off the power, insert the hex wrench into the opening in the center of the disposal’s bottom, and turn the wrench back and forth until the impeller is freed. Again, wait until the motor has cooled, press the reset button, and then try operating the disposal.
Safety Guidelines Before Fixing A Clogged Disposal
Every plumber knows at least a few horror stories where people have injured themselves cleaning a garbage disposal. But are garbage disposals as dangerous as they seem? The answer is no, not really. Just like any other piece of homeware, disposals are as safe as long as the user is responsible and takes precautions.
When clearing out a clogged disposal, you should make sure that everything is turned off. Check under the sink but also turn off the fuse. Test the device before to make sure it isn’t turned on before going anywhere near it.
Always wear safety gloves when handling the disposal unit. This will not only help protect you from the blades, but it will also keep your hands from any bacteria residing in the garbage disposal. When you’ve finished cleaning the product, you should make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soup to avoid the risk of germs spreading.
Don’t Call The Plumber Just Yet: 9 Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain
DIY home projects are great for saving money and enjoying a good challenge, but these household
projects are better left for professionals.
It can be a helpless feeling when the kitchen sink won’t drain. With water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes waiting to be cleaned, it may be tempting to reach for the phone and dial the plumber. Before you do, read these easy, do-it-yourself ways to unclog that drain.
1. Boiling water
This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. Place a kettle or pot of water on the stove and bring to a rolling boil. While you’re waiting for the water to heat, remove as much standing water from the sink as you can, using a mug or small pot to bail out the water. Then, pour the entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. If the water stands in the sink and the clog doesn’t move, give the water time to cool and remove it to try again. You may need to repeat the process several times to move the clog, but this often works on many types of stoppage.
2. Disposal
Check to make sure it’s not your garbage disposal that’s causing the problem. A clogged disposal can stop up the drain, so run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. Then inspect it to make sure it’s running correctly. If the disposal has overheated, you may need to flip the switch found on the side or bottom of the unit underneath the sink.
3. Salt and boiling water
After removing standing water from the sink, pour about ½ cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with hot water to clear the mixture.
4. Vinegar and baking soda
Again, remove standing water first. Pour about a cup or so of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will bubble, but when they subside, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes. Next, run hot water to see if the clog clears. Repeat if needed.
5. Baking soda and salt
This is another combination that can work on sink clogs. Mix about a cup of baking soda with a half-cup of salt, and pour down the drain. Let the mixture sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water. You can repeat this process if it doesn’t work the first time.
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