Your garbage disposal works hard to keep your kitchen running smoothly, grinding up food waste so you don’t have to worry about pesky potato peels or stray spaghetti-os clogging your pipes. But when it suddenly jams, it can throw a wrench in your routine—especially if you’re not sure exactly how to fix a jammed garbage disposal. This article will break down everything you need to know, from the common culprits behind clogs to step-by-step garbage disposal repair tips that will have your unit back in action in no time.
Common causes
There are a few common causes of jammed garbage disposals that you should be wary of. These causes include:
- Hard objects like bones, utensils, and fruit pits
- Fibrous foods like celery or corn husks wrapping around blades
- Grease or debris build up
The best way to avoid a jam in the first place? Be mindful of what you send down the disposal. Stick to soft, grind-friendly foods, run plenty of cold water while using it, and toss those risky items—like fibrous veggies, grease, and hard objects—straight into the trash or compost bin instead.
Safety first
Before you go full DIY mode, let’s talk safety. A garbage disposal is powerful, and the last thing you want is to turn a minor inconvenience into an emergency room visit.
First, make sure to cut the power. You can do this by unplugging the unit if it’s connected to an outlet, or switching it off at the circuit breaker. Fixing a jammed garbage disposal isn’t something you want to do with live electricity.
Next, make sure to keep your hands out as you proceed. Even if your instinct is to reach in and dislodge whatever’s stuck, resist that urge! There are better (and safer) ways to handle a jam.
Once you’re prepped and powered down, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and fix that jammed garbage disposal.
How to fix a jammed garbage disposal
Alright, time to get that jammed garbage disposal back in action! With the power safely off and your detective skills engaged, follow these steps to clear the jam and get things running smoothly again.
Check for foreign objects.
Shine a flashlight into the drain and take a look. If you spot a rogue spoon, bottle cap, or unchewed popcorn kernel, grab a pair of tongs or needle-nose pliers to carefully fish it out.
Use a Hex/Allen wrench.
At the bottom of your disposal, there should be a small hex-shaped hole. Insert an appropriately sized hex wrench and turn it back and forth a few times. This manually rotates the blades, helping to loosen whatever’s stuck. If it resists at first, keep at it—slow, steady pressure usually does the trick.
Press the reset button.
Once the jam is cleared, locate the small red reset button, usually found at the bottom of the unit. Press it firmly to reset the motor and prepare the disposal for action.
Test the disposal.
Restore power by plugging the unit back in or flipping the breaker switch. Run cold water and turn on the disposal. If it hums back to life and grinds smoothly, you’re good to go!
If the garbage disposal is still jammed or silent after these steps, it might be time to call in reinforcements (aka a plumber). But in most cases, a little troubleshooting is all it takes to get things spinning again.
Keep your home moving
From your garbage disposal to your garage door opener, it’s frustrating the home systems and appliances you rely on grind to a halt. That’s where a home warranty plan from HSA℠ comes in handy. With house-wide coverage and a blog packed with home maintenance tips, HSA is here to help your household keep moving through every hiccup.