Garbage Disposal Repair - Simple Solutions For Simple Problems

I hate to admit it but my wife taught me how to fix a garbage disposal. First, she taught me what not to put in there. And if you want to keep from having to mess with your food waste disposal, you might also want to know what not to put in there. And while some disposers are advertised as being able to handle about anything, it is probably best not to test it just to see. First, you shouldn't put stringy vegetables in there. Two, any kind of grease or lard can also cause problems over time. And three, bones should not be put in a disposal.

Ok, so you forget or someone else (like the kids) puts something in there that shouldn't be in there. Or you stuff too much in at a time (it's best to put one thing in at a time). Or a fork or knife accidentally makes it way in. You flip the switch and no action. And all you get is a hum. What do you do? This is a problem that my wife taught me to fix on my own. It really is not that hard.

On my disposal there is a red reset button near the bottom of the unit. The hum means that the unit has tripped out due to the clog. You can wait just a few minutes, push the reset button and then turn the disposal on to see if it is working properly again. Often it will, but sometimes it will not.

So, there is a second step you can try that I learned when you've got a major obstacle jamming things up. And it might be a good idea to unplug the unit for this activity. Using some tongs, you can take out any large items in the disposer. Then with a long screwdriver, stick it down in there into one of the holes on the top of the unit. You might be able to break the jam lose by moving the screwdriver back and forth. If it works, take the screwdriver out, plug the unit back in (don't forget that one!), push the reset button, turn on the water and turn on the disposal. You should be back in business.

There can be some other problems with disposals that will require calling a plumber. It really depends on how good you are working on things and how patient you are. If it requires much true plumbing or electrical work, I will call the pros.

By the way, as far as preventive maintenance another trick I have learned is to put ice and citrus rinds in the disposal from time to time. It helps to keep the blades sharp, reduces the bacteria and makes it smell better.