How to Unjam Garbage Disposal

Why Do Garbage Disposals Get Jammed?

If you hear your disposal making grinding or humming noises, there may be a jam inside the device. If so, then it is natural to assume that your unit needs to be repaired or replaced. However, the garbage disposal might just be jammed in many cases due to discarding the wrong items into the kitchen sink. Some of the most troublesome things include coffee grounds, eggshells, grease, seeds, fruit pits, or chicken bones. Starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potatoes can also cause a lot of issues. If you want to avoid frequent disposal problems, then it is best to toss these kinds of items away into the trash bin or compost pile rather than putting them in your drains.

What Should Homeowners Do If They Experience a Jammed Garbage Disposal?

Sometimes a disposal will stop working because a power surge has tripped the breaker. To troubleshoot this issue, you can press the reset button found on the top of the disposal. However, if the unit is making grinding noises, then this isn't an electrical problem. It may be a jam. The first step is to ensure your safety by cutting off the power to the disposal at the breaker box or unplugging the unit. Simply turning the switch off isn't enough to protect against injury. Once youre sure you can safely handle the device, then you can try to use a long-handled kitchen utensil to try and remove the blockage. Never place your fingers or hands next to the blades. If you still experience problems after taking these steps, then it's best to call trusted plumbers who can perform an inspection and accurately perform a garbage disposal replacement or repair if necessary.