5 Easy DIY Fixes for a Clogged Garbage Disposal

A clogged garbage disposal is one of the most common kitchen issues that homeowners face. Food particles, grease, bones, and other items can get lodged in the disposal blades, pipes, or drain outlet, causing the unit to jam and stop working properly. Fortunately, there are several easy do-it-yourself methods you can try before calling a plumber. This guide will walk you through 5 DIY fixes to unclog a stubborn garbage disposal.

Introduction

When your garbage disposal suddenly stops working, the first instinct may be to call a professional plumber. However, in many cases, some simple DIY troubleshooting can get your unit working again without the hassle and cost of a service call.

Why DIY fixes are worth trying:

• Save money on plumber fees
• Quickly solve the problem yourself
• Prevent food waste from sitting in the drain lines

This guide will provide 5 methods using common household items to attempt to clear your clogged garbage disposal before resorting to a plumber. These fixes are safe, easy to implement, and take less than an hour.

The 5 DIY fixes covered in this guide are:

1. Using baking soda and vinegar
2. Using a plunger
3. Checking the P-trap and trap arm
4. Using a disposal wrench to release jams
5. Resetting the garbage disposal

Equipped with these tips, you can troubleshoot and hopefully resolve many basic clogs and jams. However, if none of these DIY methods work, then it’s likely time to call a professional plumber to service the unit.

Let’s get started with the first method – baking soda and vinegar.

Read More: How To Repair a Garbage Disposal

Method #1: Baking Soda and Vinegar

A go-to DIY fix for clearing clogged drains of all kinds is the baking soda and vinegar approach. The chemical reaction created by mixing these two ingredients produces fizzing and bubbles that help dislodge gunk. It’s also helpful for deodorizing foul sink smells from the dirty disposal.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Kettle or pot of hot water

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start by running the hot water tap over the garbage disposal spout for 30 seconds. This helps loosen any wet waste.
2. Pour 1 cup of baking soda directly down the drain. Make sure it goes down the disposal drain and not just the sink basin.
3. Let the baking soda settle down the drain line for a few minutes.
4. Pour 1 cup of vinegar directly overtop the baking soda in the disposal drain. Immediately cover the drain opening with the sink stopper if you have one.
5. The vinegar and baking soda will start vigorously fizzing and bubbling. This agitation can help dislodge the clog.
6. Once the fizzing stops after 5-10 minutes, remove the sink stopper. Turn on the hot water tap and let it run down the disposal for 60 seconds.
7. Turn on the garbage disposal to activate the blades. Let it run for 30-60 seconds.
8. Repeat steps 1-6 again if the disposal remains clogged. The second treatment further breaks up the clog.

The baking soda, vinegar, and hot water help break down food particles and also cleans the inside of the disposal walls. Try this method twice before moving on to the next DIY fix.

Method #2: Using a Plunger

A household sink plunger can also be surprisingly effective for unclogging a jammed garbage disposal. The suction force helps pull out lodged food debris from the drain pipes connected to the disposal unit.

What You’ll Need:

• Sink plunger
• Dish soap
• Hot water

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Start by filling the kitchen sink halfway with hot water. Make sure the sink drain plug is inserted so water can accumulate.
2. Squirt a few drops of dish soap into the sink and swish the water around to mix it in. The soap helps lubricate the pipes.
3. Submerge the plunger upside down into the hot soapy water completely so the bottom seals over the sink drain hole underneath.
4. Work the plunger vigorously up and down 10-15 times to loosen the clog and create suction flow down the drain.
5. When finished plunging, run the hot water tap down the garbage disposal drain for 30 seconds to rinse through soap bubbles.
6. Remove the sink drain plug to let the water drain. Then test turning on the disposal to check if the clog cleared.
7. You may need to repeat the plunging process 3-4 times for stubborn clogs. Make sure to give the disposal a 30-second hot water rinse between plunging sessions.

The vigorous suction action combined with the lubricating dish soap can help pop out stuck gunk wedged in the garbage disposal or connecting drain pipes.

Method #3: Checking the P-Trap and Trap Arm

The P-trap and trap arm are two common locations where clogs affect garbage disposal function. The P-trap is the curved pipe section underneath the sink drain. The trap arm runs vertically from the P-trap up to connect with the disposal drain tailpiece.

What You’ll Need:

• Bucket
• Rag
• Needle nose pliers or tongue-and-groove pliers

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Place a bucket underneath the P-trap curved section to catch any water spillage.
2. Loosen the two compression slip nuts on the curved section with pliers or by hand if possible. These nuts connect the P-trap to the tailpiece and sink drain arm.
3. Detach the P-trap section carefully from the slip joints. Make sure to have your bucket ready to prevent water from spilling everywhere.
4. Check inside the curved pipe section for any visible obstructions like food, grease, hair etc. Use needle nose pliers to remove any debris.
5. Also, check inside both openings of the tailpiece and trap arm while accessible for any clogs.
6. Scrub the inside of the pipe walls with a rag to remove clinging substances. Rinse each section thoroughly before re-attaching.
7. Reconnect the P-trap piece using the slip nuts. Hand tighten completely.
8. Pour 1 cup baking soda down the garbage disposal drain. Follow with 1 cup vinegar to fizz and foam for 5 minutes.
9. Finish by running very hot water down the disposal drain for 60 seconds.

By detaching and checking the P-trap and tailpiece, you can locate and remove hidden gunk stuck in there. Reconnect everything tightly before testing the garbage disposal again.

Method #4: Using a Disposal Wrench

Another common DIY fix is using a special disposal wrench to release stuck blades caused by forks, spoons, bottle caps, glass, or other wedged objects. A disposal wrench fits in the bottom center hole underneath common garbage disposals.

What You’ll Need:

• Disposal wrench (or Allen wrench if no disposal wrench)
• Flashlight
• Gloves

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Locate the center hole on the very bottom underside of the disposal unit. This is where the disposal wrench inserts.
2. Disconnect the unit’s power supply at the circuit breaker before sticking your hand inside.
3. Insert the disposal wrench into the center hole. Work it back and forth slowly to rotate the flywheel and dislodge stuck objects.
4. Check if the wrench loosens any observable debris. Carefully pull out any released items with tongs or pliers.
5. Give a few more back-and-forth turns with the wrench to realign or straighten the disposal blades as needed.
6. Reconnect the power supply and turn on the unit’s water to rinse away any particles. Let it run for 60 seconds.
7. Try grinding up a few ice cubes to re-sharpen the blades after realigning.

Twisting the flywheel with a disposal wrench can force out stuck items that commonly jam up blades. Just take proper safety precautions before sticking your hands inside.

Method #5: Resetting the Garbage Disposal

If your garbage disposal hums loudly but won’t grind up food waste, the unit may need a manual reset. An overload condition triggers the internal reset button to pop out which shuts off the disposal motor.

What You’ll Need:

• Flashlight
• Gloves

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Unplug the disposal under the sink or turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the unit.
2. Shine a flashlight up along the inside cavity walls to locate the red or white reset button protruding out.
3. Use a gloved hand to manually push in the reset button until it clicks and locks.
4. Plug the disposal power cord back in or turn the breaker back on after resetting the red button.
5. Remove and reattach the splash guard underneath to ensure it’s not misaligned and putting pressure on the reset trigger.
6. Test grinding up a few small chunks of ice and food waste like lemon wedges.

Resetting the internal switch reengages the motor allowing normal function again. Just repeat the process if it trips again.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While many basic clogs can be cleared through these DIY methods, it’s important to know when problems require a trained plumber’s expertise. Seek professional assistance if you experience any of the following:

• Bad sewage smells emanating from disposal or sink drains
• Leaking water around the base of the disposal
• No power-breaker trips immediately when disposal is turned on
• Drain flies visible around the sink
• The disposal hums loudly but the blades won’t turn

Continuing to run a severely malfunctioning disposal can worsen damage or cause unsafe electrical hazards. The above signs indicate the need for service work beyond regular DIY abilities.

Additionally, if you exhausted all 5 troubleshooting methods here without resolving the clog, it’s best to call for professional drain cleaning help. Advanced snaking tools and commercial hydrojetting equipment can remedy severe obstructions needing more muscle.

Garbage disposals take lots of abuse grinding up food particles over time. An annual plumbing inspection helps nip potential problems in the bud before they worsen. Technicians can assess overall function while clearing minor jams.

Wrap-Up and Recap

Clogged garbage disposals are a disruption we all want to resolve quickly. Hopefully trying these 5 DIY unclogging methods using common household ingredients and tools will get your unit free of obstructions for smooth functioning again soon. Just make sure to exercise proper safety with any electrical appliances.

Here’s a quick recap of the fixes covered:

DIY Fixes List

• Baking soda + vinegar treatment
• Plunging with hot soapy water
• Removing and checking P-trap pipes
• Using disposal wrench on flywheel
• Locating and resetting the internal switch

Learning these handy troubleshooting tricks saves time and money compared to immediately calling a plumber. However, if the clog persists despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for assistance. They have commercial-grade tools to demolish the most stubborn jams.