you’re able to easily diagnose and fix most garbage disposal problems at home.
Read on to learn how to get your garbage disposal working again.
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson
Warning
Never reach your hand into the garbage disposal.
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson
Instead, unplug it or turn off the associated breaker to cut power to the unit.
Then, use a set of tongs or long pliers to remove the obstruction or troubleshoot an issue.
Try the reset button; if that doesn’t work, follow the next steps.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The fix usually involves disassembling the drain trap and discharge pipe to remove the clog.
Never use chemical drain cleaners with a garbage disposal.
These chemicals rarely work, leaving a sink full of toxic chemicals.
Further, they often damage the garbage disposal and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Garbage Disposal Leaking
Garbage disposal leakscan occur from several places on a garbage disposal.
This sink mounting flange is a likely place for leaking.
To fix this, tighten the clamp on the dishwasher hose connected to the dishwasher inlet on the disposal.
Replace the hose if it continues to leak.
Also, check the fitting on the plastic pipe carrying wastewater from the disposal to the sink drain trap.
This pipe can leak when the gasket gets old.
Poor draining and frequently needing to be reset are also signs that a replacement is near.
It is common to replace a garbage disposal every 5 to 10 years.
However, not all issues can or should be solved by a DIYer.
Some issues may be symptoms of a bigger problem.
In some cases,replacing your garbage disposalcan be easier and more cost-effective.
A professional can help you identify your best course of action.
Press the reset button to reset your garbage disposal.
In most cases, a garbage disposal becomes locked up due to large bits of food.
These can become jammed in between the impeller blade and the drain hole.
Work the Allen wrench back and forth with force.
This action will release any trapped food or debris.
You likely have a burned-out motor if you turn the unit on, and nothing happens.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal?Angi.
