How to Clear a Clogged Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are workhorses, but they are surprisingly sensitive to what we feed them. When you hear that telltale hum without the whirl of blades, it means the flywheel is jammed or the motor has tripped a safety circuit. Most people panic and reach for chemicals, but that is the worst thing you can do; corrosive cleaners can damage the rubber seals and actually fuse debris to the blades. Getting a disposal running again is usually a matter of physical leverage and a little patience. Once you remove the obstruction and reset the breaker, the unit should purr like new. Done well, this repair takes less than twenty minutes and saves you a service call that would otherwise cost you hundreds of dollars in labor fees.

1. Cut Power First. Unplug the disposal from the outlet under the sink or flip the circuit breaker off at your main panel. Never stick your hands into the disposal while it is connected to power, even if the switch is in the off position.
2. Fish Out the Blockage. Use a flashlight to look into the drain. If you see large chunks of food or foreign objects like silverware or bottle caps, pull them out using long-handled needle-nose pliers.
3. Unjam the Flywheel. Locate the small hexagonal hole in the exact center of the underside of the disposal unit. Insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench (or the specialized tool that came with your unit) and work it back and forth to force the jammed blade to rotate.
4. Restore Motor Power. Locate the red or black reset button on the bottom of the disposal housing. If the motor tripped, pressing this button will click back into place.
5. Verify Clean Operation. Turn the power back on, run cold water into the sink, and flip the switch. Listen for the sound of the blades spinning freely and water draining smoothly.
6. Scrub the Splash Guard. Pull the rubber splash guard out of the drain opening and scrub it with a stiff-bristle brush and mild soap. These flaps often trap grime that causes odors even after the jam is cleared.