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Is your garbage disposal not working, leaving food to rot and odors to linger in your kitchen drain? If so, some simple troubleshooting steps may correct the problem without the need to call in a plumber! Consult the important safety information before attempting any repairs. After that, find the problem you face below and follow the troubleshooting steps for clearing a garbage disposal.

At Apollo Home, we help Cincinnati homeowners solve household issues and get the most out of their plumbing systems and fixtures. If these steps don’t fix your garbage disposal, or your problems can’t be fixed through troubleshooting, call us for assistance. We are always happy to help!

Important Safety Information

If your garbage disposal stops working and you need to troubleshoot the issue, always be safe! The blades within your unit have the potential to cause serious injury. Sidestep this danger when you work on your garbage disposal by taking the following precautions.

Turn Off Power Before Attempting Repairs

Always turn off the power to your garbage disposal before attempting a repair. Go to your home’s electrical panel and flip the breaker to the garbage disposal’s circuit to cut power. Also, unplug the unit’s power cord from the wall outlet. Do not rely on simply turning off the wall switch, as accidents and malfunctions do happen.

Never Stick Hand Down Disposal Opening

Never stick your hand down the disposal opening. Even when power is properly cut, the sharp edges of the disposal blades could still cause an injury. Use tongs, pliers, a piece of wire, or some other tool to safely retrieve material from your garbage disposal.

Wear Safety Glasses

Wear safety glasses when working on the garbage disposal. When dislodging jams, loosened material can fly out of the drain opening and harm you.

What Causes Garbage Disposal Issues?

Common root causes of garbage disposal issues include the following.

Leaks

Finding water under your sink? Your garbage disposal might be leaking from several possible spots. If you see water where the disposal meets your sink, the mounting flange likely needs professional resealing.

When leaks appear on the side of the unit, check the connections to your drain line or dishwasher - these often just need new fittings. The most serious leaks occur at the bottom of the disposal, usually indicating internal seals have failed and the unit may need replacement.

Clogs

Garbage disposals wear out over time. As it wares out, it is unable to handle waste, leading to clogs. Slow drainage from your sink is a sign of a clog within your garbage disposal or further down the drain line. Clog material builds up and has the potential to damage the unit. In some cases, these clogs are resolved by plunging the sink with a cup plunger. Other times, only professional unclogging will fix your garbage disposal.

How To Fix A Garbage Disposal

Garbage Disposal Not Getting Power

If your garbage disposal isn’t getting power, make sure it’s plugged in. Once you’re sure it’s plugged in, press the reset button located at the bottom of the disposal. This red button functions as a circuit breaker, so if it has tripped, it pops out – push it back in to reset the unit.

If your garbage disposal still isn’t getting power, check your circuit breaker. Reset if necessary.

If these steps don’t restore power to your garbage disposal, there may be a wiring issue with the unit’s switch. Troubleshoot following these steps:

1. Cut off power to the garbage disposal at your electrical panel.
2. Find the disposal’s switch – it’s typically installed on the wall nearby or below the kitchen sink.
3. Take apart the garbage disposal switch.
4. Take a look at each wiring connection and make sure all are tight. If any are loose, tighten them up.
5. Put the switch back together and restore power at the electrical panel, then turn the garbage disposal on to see if it works.

If there are no loose connections, the switch may have gone bad. Call your plumber to have the switch replaced. If you replace the switch on your garbage disposal and the motor isn’t making any noise at all, you need a new garbage disposal.

Humming Garbage Disposal

If you turn on the disposal and hear only a loud hum but the unit doesn’t start, there is likely a clog inside the inner workings of the unit. The clog could be caused by something jammed in the blades, which prevents rotation. To solve this problem, you will likely need the clog professionally removed.

How Unclog A Garbage Disposal with a Hex Wrench

All garbage disposals come with a hex wrench, which can be used to manually rotate the inner mechanism of the unit to clear obstructions. Follow these steps to repair your garbage disposal with your hex wrench (also known as an Allen wrench):

1. Turn off the garbage disposal at the switch and cut off power at the circuit breaker panel.
2. Locate the hex-shaped manual flywheel rotation hole in the bottom of the disposal.
3. Lay down beneath the disposal and insert the hex wrench into the socket on the bottom of the unit.
4. Rotate the wrench clockwise to break up the obstructing material. If you feel it suddenly release and turn freely, you’ve cleared the jam.
5. Using tongs or pliers – never your hands – remove any object from inside the disposal.
6. Restore power at the circuit breaker, then press the red button on the bottom of the disposal to reset it.
7. Remove the hex wrench, turn on the disposal, and run it.
8. If you hear it running, turn on the water and allow it to run for a minute or so to flush the blockage down the drainpipe.

If the disposal makes only a humming sound or no sound at all, you need a qualified plumber to dismantle the unit and clear the clog.

Maintenance and Operation Tips

Keep your garbage disposal in good shape to avoid breakdowns. Learn how to properly care for and use your unit to prevent malfunctions.

Water Use

Always continue to run water during and after using your disposal. Ideally, flush it with cold water for 30 seconds after the waste has vanished down the drain. Use cold water instead of hot. Cold water prevents clogs by keeping fats in solid form and helps the motor stay cool.

What To Put In Garbage Disposal

To reduce wear and keep drains clear, reduce the amount of food waste you send down the disposal. Consider composting appropriate food scraps. Don’t jam everything into the disposal at once – slowly push waste into the disposal. Never put metal or plastic down your disposal.

Don’t put hard food items such as bones down your disposal. The appliance is meant to eliminate soft foods only. Hard foods cause damage and render the disposal useless.

Don’t use it to get rid of fibrous foods, eggshells, rice, pasta or potato peels. Fibrous foods such as corn husks get tangled in the blades, while eggshells and potato peels create unwanted buildup. Pasta and rice expand, which results in clogs.

Don’t pour bleach down your sink, as it damages disposal seals. If odor is an issue, grind citrus peels or ice into the disposal, or use white vinegar and baking soda to clean it.

Check For Leaks

Check garbage disposals frequently for leaks, as they feature numerous parts that make easy leak sources. This includes pipe connections, flanges, and gaskets. Always check for leaks to avoid mold and pest infestations under your sink.

If All Else Fails, Call a Plumbing Expert

If the troubleshooting steps outlined above don’t fix your garbage disposal, make your next step a call to Apollo Home! Trust our licensed plumbing professionals to perform the repairs your equipment needs for restored operation and performance. Contact us today to schedule garbage disposal repair in your Cincinnati area home!