How to unclog a garbage disposal safely

To unclog a garbage disposal, turn off the power, free the blades with a hex key from underneath, press the red reset button and test with cold running water. If the disposal hums but will not spin, it is jammed. If it makes no sound at all, it is probably tripped and needs the reset button. Never put your hand down the drain, even when it is off.

Time: about 15 minutes. Skill: easy.

What do you need?

• A flashlight
• A hex key, usually 1/4 inch (many disposals come with one taped to the unit)
• Long tongs or pliers
• A wooden spoon handle as a backup tool

Safety first

Turn the wall switch to Off. Then also unplug the disposal under the sink, or switch off its breaker if it is wired directly. A wall switch can be bumped by accident. Keep your hands out of the drain opening for the entire job. Only tongs or pliers go in.

How do you unclog a garbage disposal?

1. Switch off the wall switch and unplug the unit or turn off its breaker.
2. Shine a flashlight down the drain and look for what is jammed. Common culprits are a bottle cap, a fruit pit, a piece of silverware, a bone or a clump of fibrous food.
3. Pull out anything you can see with tongs or pliers.
4. Under the sink, find the hex-shaped socket in the center of the bottom of the disposal. Put the hex key in and work it back and forth. The goal is to turn the blades both ways until they move freely. It may take firm pressure at first.
5. If your unit has no socket, a wooden spoon handle pushed down the drain against a blade can help move it. Use wood, not metal, and only with the power off.
6. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. It may click when it resets. If it will not stay in, wait about 10 minutes for the motor to cool and try again.
7. Restore the power. Run cold water and turn on the disposal for a few seconds. Watch for a good grinding sound and a drain that clears.

How do you tell a clog from a jam?

A jam is a stuck blade: you hear a hum, but nothing spins. A clog is a blocked drain pipe: the disposal spins, but water backs up or sits in the sink. If both sides of a double sink fill with water, the problem is likely in the drain line, not the unit. Avoid liquid drain chemicals in a disposal. They can damage parts and are dangerous for you and anyone who works on the drain later.

How do you keep it from jamming again?

• Run cold water before, during and for about 15 seconds after grinding
• Feed in small amounts, not a pile
• Skip grease, fibrous peels, corn husks, bones, pits, coffee grounds in bulk and pasta or rice that swells
• Never put your hand in to retrieve a dropped item

Arizona's hard water leaves mineral scale in drains over time. A drain that is slow even when the disposal is working may need a plumber to clear the line.

When to call a pro

Call a plumber if the unit leaks from the bottom or sides, the reset button trips again right away, the motor hums after you free the blades, or water keeps backing up. Leaks mean the disposal is likely worn out and needs replacing. Here are local plumbers in the directory, with phone numbers:

If the disposal is hardwired and the reset button does nothing, the issue might be in the wiring, which is a job for a licensed electrician. Check licenses at roc.az.gov. Not sure which kind of pro you need? Ask the helper, or browse Phoenix businesses.

Questions people ask

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?

Something is stuck against the blades. Turn off the power, free the blades with a hex key from the bottom, remove what is stuck with tongs and press the reset button.

Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?

It is a small red button on the bottom of the unit under the sink. If it pops out, press it back in. If it keeps popping out, the motor is overheating or overloaded, and it may need repair or replacement.

Can I use ice and lemon peels to clean a disposal?

Small amounts of ice and citrus peel are commonly used to freshen a disposal and are fine with a steady flow of cold water. They will not clear a real clog.

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