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Should You Fix Your Garbage Disposal?
By Appliance Chief | July 21, 2007
If you have a problem with your garbage disposal, you can probably fix it yourself, because the unit has very simple parts. It basically consists of a motor and flywheel. The flywheel has impeller arms that turn and break up any food you put into it. 
Sometimes, a garbage disposal jams up with debris. The disposal can also cause a circuit breaker to shut down if you overload it. Your first step to figuring out what is wrong is to turn it on and then off to find out if the disposal is working. If it doesn’t work, it has likely overheated and blown a fuse. If this isn’t the problem, unplug the disposal and look for an overload switch, as you need to reset it.
Since the disposal is under your sink, you need to reach in and feel around for a small button. It will either be on the bottom or side of the unit. Note that not all units have this switch. When a garbage disposal works properly, the impeller blades spin and grind up debris. These blades then force the debris into blades along the side. During this process, it is flushed with a lot of water so only particles left go through the drain. If the unit works, but you hear a humming noise, it means the impeller is jammed with debris. Before you attempt to do anything, unplug the disposal and turn off the power. You can then safely put a ¼-inch Allen wrench inside to maneuver the motor shaft by rotating the wrench until you dislodge the jam. You can also do this with the flywheel. Another option is to use a broomstick and push the impellers. Move it back and forth until you can remove any stuck items. Make sure the power is off, so you can safely use pliers to pull out debris. Tips:
Chemical cleaners should not be used as caustic chemicals may damage the parts in your disposal. The disposal should be covered with a strainer when you’re not using it. If you find grease inside the unit, run cold water to harden it. The disposal will then be able to chop it up.If you drop something into the drain, such as a ring, you should be able to retrieve it. If you can see it, turn off the power and then use a wooden spoon or tongs to get it out.
If the item goes down the drain, it might get chewed up by the grinder or get trapped in the U-shaped pipe called the P-trap. Shut the water off immediately, so the item isn’t flushed any further. Put a bucket below the P-trap and then use channel-type pliers or a wrench to loosen the slip nuts. Once removed, the contents will fall into the bucket.
If you drop a larger item into the unit and it causes the motor to seize, you will need to call for help. If you live in the
Topics: Garbage Disposal |
