How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Disposal

Learn how to manually unclog or unjam a kitchen sink/garbage disposal.

Things You'll Need

• Plunger
• Disposal Tool

Instructions

1. Did you try drain clearing liquid first?

2. Place drain plug in the non-disposal side of sink. Place the plunger cup firmly over the disposal drain opening attempting to make a seal/form a suction. Plunge firmly straight up and down until clog is freed. This may take several tries depending on the severity of the clog.

3. Once the clog is plunged, turn on water and run disposal until all debris is flushed down the drain.

4. 

   If the disposal does not rotate when turned on-place the disposal tool (pictured) into the opening on the bottom side of the disposal body (under the sink). Crank the tool around until it rotates freely. Sometimes the rotator blades become stuck between periods of disuse. They dry out or get calcium deposits. Usually it does not take a tremendous amount of force to dislodge this kind of jam.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a disposal tool you can put the end of a wooden broom handle into the drain opening and wedge it into the rotator blades to try to break a jam loose. This is not the preferred method, but it can work in a pinch.

• Always make sure the disposal is OFF when placing anything into the drain opening or using the disposal tool! NEVER place your hands into the disposal.