A jammed garbage disposal can ruin your day, but don’t despair! With some basic tools and knowledge, you can get your hardworking disposal up and running again in no time. Whether due to food debris like citrus peels or foreign objects like silverware, jams inside the disposal can cause annoying hums and prevent water drainage. But by carefully inspecting for obstructions, manually rotating the blades to break up clogs, and clearing any remaining blockages, you can troubleshoot the problem and return your disposal to smooth, jam-free operation. Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process to fix a jammed garbage disposal at home.
Understanding Garbage Disposal Jams
A jammed garbage disposal can be annoying and inconvenient. But don’t worry – with some basic knowledge, you can get your disposal working again in no time! In this section, we’ll go over:
- What is a garbage disposal jam?
- Common causes of jams
What is a Garbage Disposal Jam?
A jammed garbage disposal happens when the blades inside the disposal get stuck and can’t spin. This is usually caused by something getting lodged in the disposal.
When a jam occurs, you’ll notice these common symptoms:
- The disposal makes a loud humming noise when turned on
- Water doesn’t drain down the sink like usual
- The blades are not turning at all
The humming sound is the motor trying to spin the blades, but something is blocking them from moving.
Common Causes of Jams
There are a few common things that can cause a jammed garbage disposal:
Food Debris
Food items that are fibrous or bony can get caught in the blades and stop them from spinning. Some examples that often cause jams are:
- Fruit peels (like citrus rinds)
- Onion skins
- Celery stalks
- Corn husks
- Bones
- Grease or fat
Foreign Objects
It’s easy for small objects to fall into the disposal by accident. Some common items that jam disposals include:
- Utensils
- Coins
- Bottle caps
- Small toys
Lack of Maintenance
Not properly maintaining your garbage disposal can also lead to jams. Without regular care, grease and food debris can build up over time and clog the unit.
Safety First When Fixing a Jammed Disposal
Before we dig into how to fix your jammed garbage disposal, let’s go over some important safety steps. Working with any electrical appliance can be dangerous, so caution is key!
Turn Off the Power
The first thing you should do is turn off power to the garbage disposal at the circuit breaker.
- Locate the circuit breaker box (usually in the basement or garage).
- Find the switch labeled for the garbage disposal and flip it to the OFF position.
This cuts electricity to the disposal so you can work safely. Never stick your hands into a running garbage disposal!
Gather the Proper Tools
Having the right tools will make fixing a jam a whole lot easier. Here are the basic items you’ll need:
- Flashlight – Helps you see down into the disposal.
- Needle-nose Pliers – For pulling out objects stuck in the blades.
- Allen Wrench – Fits in the bottom of the disposal to manually turn the blades.
- Jam Buster Wrench – Designed specially for freeing jams.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing a Jammed Disposal
Now, we’re ready to walk through each step to get your garbage disposal unclogged and working again. Follow along below:
Step 1: Inspect the Disposal Thoroughly
The first step is to grab your flashlight and shine the light down into the disposal from the top. Slowly rotate the flashlight around the entire perimeter, checking all sides of the disposal carefully. Look for any signs of obstructions lodged in the blades that could be causing the jam.
Here are some of the common things to look for:
- Food debris like fruit or vegetable peels, leftover scraps, bones, grease, or fat residue
- Foreign objects like silverware, bottle caps, small toys, coins
- A build-up of grime or gunk indicates a lack of maintenance
Try to identify the exact location and source of the jam. If you can spot something stuck in there, use a pair of needle-nose pliers or tongs to gently try removing it. Just be very cautious not to cut yourself on the blades. Getting a visual on the problem will help you better pinpoint the issue.
Step 2: Attempt the Reset Button
Most garbage disposals have a reset button located on the bottom, side, or interior of the unit. Try to locate this button, which is usually red and about an inch wide. Press the reset button for 5-10 seconds to see if the jam self-clears.
Sometimes this quick reset will realign things and get the blades spinning freely again. If pressing the reset button doesn’t seem to work, don’t worry, we can still get the disposal unjammed manually.
Step 3: Manually Rotate the Blades
Since the reset button didn’t work, we’ll have to use some force to break up the jam. This involves manually turning the blades from the bottom of the disposal.
First, locate the hex-shaped hole at the bottom center of the garbage disposal unit. Insert an Allen wrench into this hex hole. Turn the wrench back and forth to rotate the blade’s full revolutions clockwise and counter-clockwise. Applying this rotational force helps disengage the obstruction. Just be careful not to cross-thread anything.
Alternatively, you can insert a specialized jam-buster wrench designed specifically for garbage disposals into the top of the unit. Turning this wrench back and forth also rotates the blades to dislodge jams.
As you’re manually turning the blades, check if any debris becomes loose inside. Try to remove any visible scraps you can grab with pliers as you go.
Step 4: Clear Out Any Remaining Debris
After manually rotating the blades for a good amount of time, shine your flashlight down into the disposal again. Check if any debris remains visible. Use needle-nose pliers or tongs to carefully grasp and remove any leftover obstructions.
Finish by running water through the disposal for 30-60 seconds to flush out smaller particles. This should completely clear out any remaining jams or clogs.
Testing the Disposal After Fixing a Jam
You’ve cleared out the jam and removed any debris from your garbage disposal. Now, it’s time to make sure everything is working properly again. Follow these final steps:
Restore Power to the Disposal
Head back to the circuit breaker and flip the switch for the garbage disposal back to the ON position. This will restore electricity to the unit.
As a safety precaution, you may want to turn on a faucet before restoring power. This will prevent the blades from spinning dry if you accidentally turn the disposal on.
Run the Disposal to Test It Out
Once power is back on, turn on your kitchen faucet to a slow stream. Then, turn the disposal switch to the ON setting for 30-60 seconds. Listen closely for any humming or buzzing noises.
The disposal should grind smoothly without any loud or strange sounds. Check your sink to make sure water drains properly while running the disposal. You want to verify it’s draining like normal.
If the disposal seems quiet and the water flows freely, then the jam should be fully cleared! Just to be sure, let the device run for another minute or so.
Preventing Future Garbage Disposal Jams
Now that you’ve successfully fixed a jammed disposal, let’s go over some tips to help avoid future clogs and keep your unit running smoothly.
Regular Maintenance
Proper maintenance is key for a jam-free garbage disposal. Here are some easy habits:
- Run cold water – Let cold water flow through the disposal when grinding food scraps. This helps the waste flush down and prevents buildup.
- Grind citrus rinds – Toss lemon, lime, or orange rinds down the disposal to help naturally scrub the inside. The oils help break down grease, too.
- Use baking soda – Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes once a month. This deodorizes and prevents waste sticking to the sides.
- Check/replace splash guard – The rubber splash guard needs to fit snugly in place. Replace if it gets loose or cracked.
Proper Usage
You’ll also want to avoid putting items down the disposal that commonly jam:
- Avoid bones, corn husks, onion skins, grease, and anything fibrous
- Never pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain
- Be cautious with celery stalks, potato peels, artichoke leaves, etc.
And never put non-food items like utensils, bottle caps, aluminum foil, sponges, etc. Small items can get stuck and cause jams.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground on diagnosing, fixing, and preventing jams in your garbage disposal. Here’s a quick recap:
- A jam causes the disposal blades to get stuck and not spin. This is usually from built-up food waste or foreign objects getting lodged in the unit.
- Safety first! Always turn off the power at the breaker before sticking your hands into the disposal.
- Inspect the unit, try the reset button, and manually turn the blades to clear out debris causing a clog. Remove any remaining obstructions.
- Restore power, run water, and test the disposal. Listen for smooth operation and proper drainage.
- Prevent future jams by regular maintenance and avoiding putting fibrous or hard food waste down the drain.
We hope these tips help you get your garbage disposal humming along jam-free again. Just take it step-by-step and remember – safety first!