Things You'll Need:
- plunger handle
- allen wrench
- shop vac
- neddle nose pliers
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Step 1
If you flip the switch & the garbage disposal just hums & does not turn , it is jammed
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Step 2
FIRST: TURN OFF THE POWER
Turn off the power for the garbage disposal at the main circuit breaker.
Test to make sure the power is off by turning the switch to the ON position. If it doesn't hum now the power is off
Turn the switch back to the OFF position.
If it still hums you have not flipped the proper breaker switch , go back & try to figure out witch with breaker is the right one for the disposal.
Some garbage disposals have a plug under the sink , in that case just un-plug it. -
Step 3
First take the handle off a plunger & with it at a angle , try to spin the impeller blades inside the disposal. Most of the time you can clear a jammed disposal this way.
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Step 4
If this fails to un-stick the disposal , then you need to tray an allen wrench. Most disposals come with a allen wrench tool & if you are lucky, who ever installed it has that allen wrench tool stored under the sink some where. If you can not find this tool under the sink a regular allen wrench will work.
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Step 5
In the center of the bottom of the disposal there is a hole , stick the allen wrench into this hole & engage it with the flywheel. Now turn it back & forth till it turns freely.
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Step 6
With the jam cleared , you need to extract what ever was stuck. You can use needle nose pliers to reach in & pluck out the debris or you can use a wet/dry shop vac to vacuum out the debris.
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Step 7
Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker or plug the disposal back in. Turn on the cold water & turn on the switch. Your disposal should be turning freely now.
If it is not turning freely , you will need to repeat the steps. If this fails the get it working right you may need to replace the disposal. your problem could be more that something jammed in the blades.
Comments
wfro said
on 10/16/2009 Thank you, you just saved my day.
lisanthemum said
on 10/3/2009 You rock! I couldn't find my allen wrench and going to buy one would have required me to pack up my kids and run out...but I tried the plunger handle and I'm back in business!
doorlifter said
on 8/28/2009 worked fine with the plunger handle 1st time!
zakared said
on 7/24/2009 This worked great! It did take a couple of tries, but it works now and my husband knows how to do it. Thank you.
mepstein22 said
on 7/15/2009 Worked like a charm. Seemed too easy to actually work, but it did.