Solving Garbage Disposal Issues

AMERICAN CANYON — When your garbage disposal gets jammed, you may think you need to call a plumber. However, with a little troubleshooting, you may be able to solve the problem yourself. The first thing you should try is resetting it. On the bottom of the unit, there should be an ON/OFF power switch and a red reset button. Set the disposal’s power switch to OFF and press the reset button. Set the power switch back to ON and see if the unit will work.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, the next step is to try unjamming it manually. Your garbage disposal should come with a mechanical hex key specifically for this purpose; if you don’t have this key, a 1/4-inch Allen wrench will work. After turning the unit’s power switch to OFF, insert the tool into the slot on its underside. Crank it left and right a few times—this will rotate the disposal’s metal teeth to manually clear the blockage. Turn the unit back on and see if works; if not, you may need to call a plumber.

Another issue people often experience with garbage disposals is an unpleasant odor emanating from the drain. Fortunately, these odors can be eliminated with a simple step. First, fill the sink with hot water and add a little vinegar. Next, remove the drain plug and turn on the garbage disposal. The vinegar and hot water should clean the drain and disposal and remove the residual odor.