how to fix garbage disposal

Download Article

Garbage disposals require routine maintenance. If there is too much grease or fibrous substance and not enough water, blades, hoses and other parts can become worn or clogged. You can learn how to fix a garbage disposal by identifying the problem and taking the disposal apart. The following methods are common problems that can be fixed without calling a professional.

1

Locate your garbage disposal's operating manual, if you can. It can instruct you on recommended garbage disposal repairs and give you a diagram of the disposal before you take anything apart.
2
Find the hex wrench that came with the disposal. ^[1] This tool is usually kept near the disposal for small repairs.^[2]
- A hex wrench is a small, thin metal tool. It has 6 sides and it tightens the mounting bolts on the disposal. It is often referred to as a hex key and is used for bike repairs and furniture construction.
Advertisement
3

Turn off the garbage disposal using the circuit breaker. Occasionally, wall switches are not properly connected, so there should be no chance that power can get to the impellers.^[3]
4

Hold a flashlight above the garbage disposal. Attempt to see down the disposal and find the cause of the clog.^[4]
5

Remove the drain cover, or rubber catch, if possible.
6
Stick a hex wrench or wooden spoon handle into the disposal. Rock it from side to side between the impellers to try to loosen any caught food.^[5]
- If you find some hard object, such as a bone, try to grasp it with tongs and pull it up. It is preferable to forcing it down the hoses.
7

Turn on the power once you believe the disposal is unclogged.
8

Turn on the water. Turn on the disposal. See if the disposal appears to be running better.

Advertisement

1

Look in the area underneath your sink. If it is wet, you have a problem with the hoses and/or seals.^[6]
2
Try to catch the liquid. The color and contents will tell you where the leak is coming from.^[7]
- If the liquid is brown and discolored, then the leak is probably coming from a dishwasher intake or drain pipe.
- If the liquid is clear, it is most likely a leak from the sink.
3

Run your hand across the garbage disposal seal on the sink, drain pipe and/or dishwasher intake. You may be able to feel where water is dripping.
4

Try to tighten the mounting bolts around the seal. This may solve your problem without requiring further repair. Turn on the water to see if the leak continues.
5
Purchase a new seal, when you have determined the area it is leaking from.
- You may need to shut off the water source, take apart the hose and remove the seal. Take the seal to a hardware store to make sure you get the right item.
6

Replace the seal. Tighten the mounting bolts and try the disposal again.

Advertisement

1
Determine if the impellers in your garbage disposal aren't turning. If this is the case, and you have checked for garbage disposal clogs, the cause may be the flywheel.
- Leaking from the bottom of the disposal may also be a problem with the flywheel. In this case the flywheel seal needs to be replaced. Follow the instructions in the method above to replace it.
- Do not test your garbage disposal for longer than 10 seconds, if the wheels aren't turning. A caught flywheel can burn out the motor in the disposal.
2

Go underneath the sink to access the disposal. Make sure power is completely off.
3

Find the hex holes. Use your hex wrench to loosen the flywheel at the bottom of the disposal.
4

Remove any debris that is stuck in the disposal's flywheel.
5

Loosen the lock nut on the flywheel and remove it, if you believe the problem is caused by the impeller blades. ^[8]
6

Remove all the hose fittings that are connected to the disposal flywheel and impellers.
7

Remove debris in the impellers, if that is the cause of the problem.
8

Sharpen impellers in place or by removing them. This can help to avoid future clogs, if food debris was the cause of your problem.
9

Read the instruction manual. If it says that blades cannot be sharpened, or if you cannot find the cause of the problem, you may need to send for a new flywheel assembly.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

What if my disposal is still clogged?

Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. With over four years of experience, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment.

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

If you believe it is still clogged, leave the power off. You will need to go underneath the sink and remove the hoses that attach to the disposal. You can clear the impellers with the hex wrench from below.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Things You'll Need

Instruction manual
Hex wrench
Wooden spoon
Bowl
Seals
Flywheel assembly
Blade sharpener

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To fix a clogged garbage disposal, turn off the disposal using the circuit breaker, and shine a flashlight down into the disposal to see the clog. Remove the rubber catch or cover if needed, and slide a hex wrench or wooden spoon into the disposal. Then, rock the wrench or spoon back and forth to move the blades and dislodge any stuck food. If there's a hard piece of food, like a bone, use a pair of tongs to pull it up out of the disposal. Finally, restore power to the disposal and run the water before you turn the disposal on. For advice on how to repair leaking hoses and fix the flywheel, scroll down!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 129,687 times.

Did this article help you?