It’s a common problem, a wash cloth or other object falls into the garbage disposal chamber and jams, causing it to grind to a halt. Now what?
First, and most importantly, never attempt to clear the disposal until the power has been disconnected. Do not rely on turning power off at the switch, unplug the disposal from the wall outlet located under the sink. If the unit is hard-wired and has no plug, turn off the power supply at the circuit breaker. Unplugging the disposal or turning off the breaker in your electrical panel is the safest way to prevent accidental activation.
Even after the power is turned off, the impeller surface can still be sharp and cause injury. Use a pair of pliers or tongs rather than your fingers to access the grinding chamber.
Step 1 – Identify the Problem
Often, a jammed garbage disposal is the result of a foreign object, such as utensils, child’s toy, or the wrong type of food waste bing put into the unit, getting caught in the blades. Use a flashlight to look inside the disposal and see if you can identify the object causing the jam.
Cloth – A dish towel can easily get wedged inside the impeller. Try gently pulling it in a back and forth motion to try to pull it free.
Broken Glass – Because it will leave many sharp fragments inside the grinding chamber, glass requires a different approach to clear. See our post What to do When Glass Gets In Your Garbage Disposal.
Step 2: Manual Rotation
If your disposal comes with an Allen (hex) wrench, insert it into the hex-shaped hole at the bottom of the disposal unit. Gently turn it back and forth to move the blades and dislodge the object. If your disposal doesn’t have this feature, you can try using a broom handle or a similar object from the top to manually and gently rotate the blades.
Step 3: Use Pliers or Tongs
If you can see the object causing the jam, use pliers or tongs to carefully remove it.
Step 4: Reset the Disposal
After clearing the disposal, turn the power back on, and then press the reset button. Most garbage disposals have a reset button located at the bottom of the unit. If your disposal has jammed, has overheated or been switched off, pressing this button can reset the system.
Step 5: Test the Disposal
Once the object has been removed, the power restored, and the system has been reset, test it by running water and turning it on. If it runs smoothly, you’ve successfully fixed the jam!
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While many jams can be fixed with the steps above, there are times when it’s best to call in a professional plumber. If you:
- You cannot identify or remove the object causing the jam
- The disposal doesn’t turn on after restoring power and resetting
- You notice unusual noises when operating the unit after resetting
It’s time to call the experienced plumbers at Central Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical.We can help fix the problem.
Whether you are in Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls or anywhere else in the Flathead Valley. . .As always, your Comfort is our Central concern, call 406-756-6656, for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.
