How to Fix a Garbage Disposal

When your garbage disposal breaks, you have two choices... call a repairman or fix it yourself. Fortunately, most garbage disposal problems are easily fixed by the average home owner, even if your range of DIY experience doesn’t include much beyond painting your walls or hanging black metal wall sculptures. You can get some additional information from the user's manual that came with the disposal, and no matter what, always turn off the power to the garbage disposal at the breaker before attempting any repairs. It can also help to remove the splash guard before working on your garbage disposal, to make the job easier.

Special Turning Tool

A tool that often comes in handy when fixing your garbage disposal is the special turning tool that came with the disposal. The turning tool is an Allen wrench that fits into a hole at the bottom of the disposal. To use it, you simply insert the turning tool into the hole, and turn the disposal back and forth. If your disposal doesn't have one, or you can't find it, you can purchase a replacement at the hardware store.

Checking for Obstructions

One of the most common problems with a garbage disposal is getting objects stuck in the disposal. This happens when a piece of silverware or other small object falls through the splash guard. Do NOT try to remove these types of items by putting anything into the disposal without the power being shut off. Once the power is off, use a flashlight to locate the object. If you can reach it with tongs or pliers, simply remove the object. You can also use the special turning tool if you have one, or another long object. A standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench also often works as a substitute for the turning tool. Once the object is removed, turn the power back on, and test the disposal by running cold water and turning it on.

Clogged Drains

A clogged drain is another common problem. First, try drain cleaner. If this doesn't work place a bucket under the drain, and use a pipe wrench to loosen the P trap fittings. Once the P trap is removed, find the clog and remove it. If you still can't find where the drain is clogged, you might have to use a snake or auger to clear the clog further down the drainpipe.

Power Overloads

Sometimes a garbage disposal will abruptly stop working. This is often because of a power overload. You'll simply need to use the reset button on the disposal to restart it. To do this, first wait a minute, and then press the reset button. If this doesn't fix the problem, then it might mean you have a wiring or other electrical problem. At this point, if you are not proficient in electrical wiring issues, you might want to call an electrician.

If something more serious has happened to the garbage disposal, you might end up deciding that it's less expensive and more effective to just replace the entire unit. However in most cases, typical garbage disposal repairs are within the abilities of the average homeowner.