

The leak is likely caused by loose bolts in the mounting assembly or a failed plumber’s putty. If the leak seems to be coming from the sink flange, repairing the leak becomes a bit more complicated. If you notice a leak, pinpoint the source, then tighten the connection. Common areas of leaks include the sink flange, the dishwasher hose, or the discharge drainpipe.įixing a leak is pretty straightforward. You Have a Leaking DisposalĪs with any equipment connected to plumbing, leaks can and do happen. You may need to repeat these steps several times to get rid of the jam completely. Turn on the water and try to operate the machine. Then with a flashlight, look down into the disposal and use long pliers to remove any foreign object you see.Īfter that, press the reset button (the same red button we previously referred to). Again, try to rotate the blades with the tool to knock whatever’s stuck inside loose. Use that to reach the impeller through the drain hole. If the garbage disposer doesn’t have the hex-shaped hole, look for a long tool such as the handle of a wooden spoon. Turn the hex key back and forth to rotate the blades until the foreign object or food gets dislodged. Insert the wrench into the socket that’s at the bottom of the waste disposal. The first one requires a special wrench key that came with the disposal unit or an Allen wrench. To un-jam the disposal, you must rotate the blades manually to remove the obstruction. It’s designed to only deal with food waste and even then, there are foods that you should avoid putting in a disposal device. Keep in mind that your disposer isn’t a trashcan. If the garbage disposal makes a humming sound but doesn’t grind, you might have a jammed disposal. You can have an electrician inspect your wiring or it may be time to buy a new garbage disposal. If there’s still no power, you might have problems with your wire connections or with the disposal unit itself. Check the main service panel, reset the circuit breaker, and test if your disposal is now working. If the outlet itself has no power, or the disposer is hard wired to an electrical box, the circuit breaker may have tripped. You can turn the unit back on and see if that did the trick. Let the machine rest for ten minutes, then press the reset button to “un-trip” it. This is the reset button which is a built-in circuit breaker that will trip if the unit is working too hard. If it’s plugged in and the outlet is working, locate the red button found on the bottom of the device. You should also test the outlet with another device, such as a phone charger, to make sure it’s working. While this may seem like a “duh” moment, it’s one of the most commonly reported problems with appliances. If you have a disposal unit with a plug, check that it’s actually plugged in. See if your disposal is a plug-in type or if it has a direct connection to an electrical box. Is It Dead?ĭoes it not respond even if you poke it with a stick? WARNING: Do not literally poke it with a stick.ĭid it suddenly stop mid-session and nothing happens after you flip the switch back on? If there’s no sign of life, no humming sound or anything, it means that the unit isn’t receiving any power. Here’s how you can deal with the common causes of disposal breakdown and possibly prevent needing garbage disposal replacement.
#GARBAGE DISPOSAL NOT WORKING PROFESSIONAL#
If things get too tough, call for professional services right away for your garbage disposal repair. DIY repair isn’t very difficult even if your plumbing experience amounts to diddly squat. In these situations, having the know-how to troubleshoot waste disposals in your back pocket is handy. Having said that, sometimes we don’t have the time to wait or we want to save some money and try to DIY.

Typically, you’ll want the services of a plumber for garbage disposal repair without the hassle. The most common problems with disposals are electrical problems, jamming, clogging, and leaking. However, if you’re used to the convenience of a disposer, your precious routine is certain to be disrupted.
#GARBAGE DISPOSAL NOT WORKING HOW TO#
It’s not because you suddenly don’t know how to deal with food waste in the kitchen. When your garbage disposal stops working, chaos ensues.
