| It seems like it always happens at just the wrong | | | | then something is stuck in the disposal. Most modern |
| time. You've got guests over, you're in the kitchen | | | | disposals have a slot in the bottom of the unit that |
| getting dinner ready and the garbage disposal jams. | | | | will accommodate a ¾ inch Allen wrench (hex |
| Do you know how to clear that jam safely or are | | | | wrench). Insert the wrench in the slot and work it |
| you going to call a plumber? This article will walk you | | | | back and forth until you clear what ever is stuck. |
| through a couple of easy steps that not only will | | | | If you don't have a wrench, or your unit doesn't |
| have your disposal running smoothly again but save | | | | have a slot for it, use a short broom handle or a long |
| you that expensive plumbing house call. | | | | wooden spoon and insert it from the top until you |
| The first thing you want to do is determine if the | | | | feel one of the impellers. Push in one direction and |
| disposal has power. Flip it on and then off. If you | | | | then the other until the impeller comes free. |
| heard a humming the unit has power. However if you | | | | Turn off the power to the unit and using a flashlight |
| didn't hear anything, then it likely has tripped a circuit | | | | and long nose pliers remove whatever jammed the |
| breaker. | | | | disposal. Turn the power back on and run cold water |
| Here's the fun part. Open the cabinet doors under | | | | to flush the system. You should be back in business |
| the sink and move all the cleaning supplies, buckets | | | | and you will probably have impressed your guests |
| and whatever else you have stored down there so | | | | with your amazing plumbing skills. |
| you can get to the bottom of the disposal unit. Most | | | | Here's a tip to keep the disposal clean. Eggshells work |
| disposals have a red button on the bottom. Press it | | | | like sandpaper in your disposal. If you are in the habit |
| and then see if you have power. If you don't, then | | | | of throwing eggshells into the trash, start tossing |
| go to your circuit breaker box and reset the breaker | | | | them down the disposal instead. As the shells are |
| that controls the disposal. | | | | ground up they scrape off grease and other debris |
| If you have power but you get the humming sound | | | | from the inside of the unit. |