How to fix jammed garbage disposal

MangaReader

MangaReader

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I went to wash dishes today and turned on the disposal. To my dismay it was just humming. I looked at the switch thinking maybe I left it on without knowing it since I wouldn't hear it running. I rarely use it so it wasn't a big deal but I knew I would have to have it fixed otherwise my sink would stink.

So here I am thinking oh who should I call? My ex? Nah, last person I would call. I look at the disposal and I see a red button on the bottom. I press that. Nothing happened.

So I go to my ole trusty internet for help.

I found this youtube video of how to fix jammed garbage disposal. At this point I have no idea if it's jammed, broken or what. All I know is when I turn it on, it creates a humming vibration. Low humming. Underneath it isn't hot to the touch so I was sure it wasn't left on accidentally.

I watch the video. It's captioned but mixed up as usual. It seems clear and easy enough. If that's my problem that is.

I go try his method. I could not believe it. It did work! Amazing!

Makes me feel good that I didn't have to call anyone for help and spend some $$ possibly. Reading people's comments made me feel like I wasn't alone.

Wanted to share that with anyone who goes through this. I'm sure some of you may know this but I didn't and possibly many that don't.

How to fix a jammed garbage disposal...won't cost you a dime! - YouTube
 
Yeah they are easy to fix, they were designed to fix without having your hands inside the disposal. There are hex wrench used to unclog the disposal and it is right on bottom or the machine, and next to it, there is reset switch in event the disposal gets overheat or stuck they trip the reset switch.
 
diehardbiker said:
Yeah they are easy to fix, they were designed to fix without having your hands inside the disposal. There are hex wrench used to unclog the disposal and it is right on bottom or the machine, and next to it, there is reset switch in event the disposal gets overheat or stuck they trip the reset switch.
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Yes I was lucky I had a hex wrench in my toolbox from my grandfather. I don't know if the garbage disposal normally comes with one but I'm the 2nd owner of this place so there wasn't one.
 
MangaReader said:
Yes I was lucky I had a hex wrench in my toolbox from my grandfather. I don't know if the garbage disposal normally comes with one but I'm the 2nd owner of this place so there wasn't one.
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Mine did , I am not sure where it is .
 
They normally come with one but some people lose them.
 
Yes it is easy to lose. I put it in the toolbox for safe keeping.

The only thing I had no clue from watching the video since it wasn't captioned or mixed up is what am I doing with the hex wretch. I see him turning it few times but had no idea which direction or what. I just did what he did and it worked ok.
 
I think some people would use the end of a wooden broom stick to unjam their garbage disposal. You need to made use it's Turned OFF first. I am not where you would fine a broom with a wooden handle today or if this really worked.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
I think some people would use the end of a wooden broom stick to unjam their garbage disposal. You need to made use it's Turned OFF first. I am not where you would fine a broom with a wooden handle today or if this really worked.
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I have brooms with wooden handles but I wouldn't use them for that purpose.
 
MangaReader said:
Yes it is easy to lose. I put it in the toolbox for safe keeping.

The only thing I had no clue from watching the video since it wasn't captioned or mixed up is what am I doing with the hex wretch. I see him turning it few times but had no idea which direction or what. I just did what he did and it worked ok.
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it doesn't matter which direction. you're just turning the grinders to unjam something. if you can't turn it clockwise... then reverse it.
 
Reba said:
I have brooms with wooden handles but I wouldn't use them for that purpose.
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I know it's does not sound like a good thing to good . But I had seen someone doing it. I just can't remember who it was. It could break something .
 
whatdidyousay! said:
I think some people would use the end of a wooden broom stick to unjam their garbage disposal. You need to made use it's Turned OFF first. I am not where you would fine a broom with a wooden handle today or if this really worked.
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It can work and often does, but you shouldn't just turn off the disposal, you should unplug it if it's plugged into a wall socket or cut power to it by flipping the circuit breaker.
 
Rogus said:
It can work and often does, but you shouldn't just turn off the disposal, you should unplug it if it's plugged into a wall socket or cut power to it by flipping the circuit breaker.
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Thank you for posting this! You're so right! I know it worked with the older disposals I was not sure about the ones today.
 
Well I got an update on this. After getting it to work, it worked fine few times.

Today as I am washing dishes, I felt my socks getting wet. I'm thinking WTF? I turn off the water. I look down and there's water by my feet. Quickly I opened the cabinet under the sink and it is soaked!! The whole bottom of the cabinet is wet. I did put contact paper but that doesn't do anything to prevent the wood from damage. I have no idea how long this has been happening since I can't hear the 'drip drip' underneath. I can see that the wood is slightly damaged which means it's been happening a day or so.

So after drying everything up. I go find out where the leak is coming from. I saw drips coming from the disposal. I turned on the water again briefly to see it in action and sure enough, there's constant dripping coming from the bottom of the disposal. I do research online and find out that's bad news because apparently the bottom seal has worn out and the water is going through the motor out to the bottom. Needs replacing. Ugh. It is about 8 years old.

My next project is removing the thing and repipe it to the drain. Not sure if I want to buy a new disposal yet because I rarely use it but it is nice to have.
 
MangaReader said:
Well I got an update on this. After getting it to work, it worked fine few times.

Today as I am washing dishes, I felt my socks getting wet. I'm thinking WTF? I turn off the water. I look down and there's water by my feet. Quickly I opened the cabinet under the sink and it is soaked!! The whole bottom of the cabinet is wet. I did put contact paper but that doesn't do anything to prevent the wood from damage. I have no idea how long this has been happening since I can't hear the 'drip drip' underneath. I can see that the wood is slightly damaged which means it's been happening a day or so.

So after drying everything up. I go find out where the leak is coming from. I saw drips coming from the disposal. I turned on the water again briefly to see it in action and sure enough, there's constant dripping coming from the bottom of the disposal. I do research online and find out that's bad news because apparently the bottom seal has worn out and the water is going through the motor out to the bottom. Needs replacing. Ugh. It is about 8 years old.

My next project is removing the thing and repipe it to the drain. Not sure if I want to buy a new disposal yet because I rarely use it but it is nice to have.
Click to expand...

sorry to hear.... you might want to consider getting a "boot tray" and put it under your sink. you can find it at bed and bath beyond store.

BootTray_x.jpg
 
Jiro said:
sorry to hear.... you might want to consider getting a "boot tray" and put it under your sink. you can find it at bed and bath beyond store.

BootTray_x.jpg
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That's one good idea, if it fits.

We got some of that waterproofing spray sealer (as seen on TV) and sprayed the board that goes under the sink, and up the sides a few inches.
 
Reba said:
That's one good idea, if it fits.

We got some of that waterproofing spray sealer (as seen on TV) and sprayed the board that goes under the sink, and up the sides a few inches.
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That is a great idea!! At least help protect the cabinet till you find out about it and can do something.
 
Reba said:
That's one good idea, if it fits.

We got some of that waterproofing spray sealer (as seen on TV) and sprayed the board that goes under the sink, and up the sides a few inches.
Click to expand...

yea it is pretty big. hopefully you can find something smaller. of course... the simplest solution is to put a bucket in there. the reason why I suggested a boot tray is that it doesn't take up space as you can put stuff on it even though it will get wet but better that than wood.

I would recommend putting a boot tray under anything you feel may leak someday one day. I have a large plastic tray under my laundry machine.
 
Boot tray is a great idea. I'll go look for one!

Waterproofing spray sounds interesting. I'll see if Lowes has it.

Thanks for the ideas.

For now I googled how to remove the garbage disposal. Easy enough. But re-piping it to the sink isn't. My place came with the disposal so I don't have the pipes. I don't have the tools necessary to do all this and I would have to buy pipes to replace the garbage disposal. I can buy another garbage disposal in and replace it. Probably easiest way than re-piping it without the disposal I think.
 
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