Disposing of a Problem
If this has not happened to you yet, eventually it will. You are in the middle of a massive cleanup after a party or big family dinner and you switch on the garbage disposer.
Instead of that familiar rumble, all you get is a low hum or no sound at all while gallons of foul water begin to back up into the sink.
Now what?
Well, you either call in a professional who will, you think, be sending his children to college on the fee you pay him, or take matters into your own hands and spend a few minutes to unjam the disposer yourself.
To save you time, money and aggravation, here are a few tricks to try before calling for help.
If the disposer works but the water doesn’t run out, chances are the drain itself is plugged. Try a plunger, or, if that fails, you may have to open the trap and run a wire into the drain to dislodge any packed debris. Be sure to put a bucket under the trap before opening it.
If the disposer doesn’t run, try these steps:
1--Check the reset button. If after checking for a blown fuse or circuit breaker you still can’t get the unit to start, the “reset button” may be at fault.
On the very bottom surface of every disposer is a small “reset” button that will occasionally pop out and interrupt the power when the motor is overworked. Sometimes getting a recalcitrant machine back in line is as simple as pressing this button to restore electricity to it after an overload.
Put the disposer wall switch in the “off” position and wait three to five minutes for the unit to cool, then reach under the disposer and feel around for this button. It is square or round and about one-quarter-inch across. If you do not find it, use a hand mirror to help you locate it under the unit.
When you find it, just give it a firm push, then test the disposer by flipping the switch “on” with the water running.
If the motor starts running again, you can conclude that somehow the machine was overtaxed. To help avoid this recurring, grind smaller quantities of waste with each activation of the unit.
Also, keep in mind that because drain pipes in a home often constrict with age, thereby reducing the pipe’s capacity, to help avoid drain clogs it is a good idea in general to use any disposer sparingly.
2--Use the unjamming keyway. If you have tried the reset button but still cannot get the motor to start, chances are some object (like a bone, coin, piece of glass, bottle cap, etc.) has gotten wedged inside the cutting chamber.
Several of the most common makes of disposers provide a small “keyway” in the center of the bottom of the unit (near the reset button) into which a one-quarter-inch hex wrench can be inserted.
Most disposers are sold with the hex wrench (sometimes called a “wrenchette”), so look around for it under the sink. If you cannot find it, any hardware store will have one. It is a good idea to make sure you have a wrench before you need it.
The keyway connects to the “cutting table” where the jam is generally found, and by using the wrench you can move the cutting table to break it loose.
To do this, first move the wall switch to the “off” position, or, to be extra safe, flip off the disposer circuit breaker or fuse at the power box, and then insert the hex wrench fully into the keyway.
Gently move the wrench back and forth. Do not force it. If you feel significant resistance, stop pushing that direction and go the opposite way.
Keep working the wrench back and forth until it moves freely and you can complete a full 360-degree rotation without resistance.
Now check again that the power to the disposer is off and reach into the disposer to retrieve whatever was causing the jam. Feel around the inside of the cutting chamber to make sure that you have not missed anything.
Once you are sure the machine is clear, remove the wrench and press in on the reset button again and turn the power on to test it. It should start immediately.
3--Use a disposer wrench. If your machine does not have a keyway under it, you can still break a jam fairly easily with a special tool called a “disposer wrench.”
A disposer wrench is a device about a foot long and shaped like a wide “H.” One leg of the “H” is a four-inch long flat blade that swivels on the stem to allow it drop into the sink opening from above. The other leg forms a handle.
Make certain that the wall switch or circuit breaker or fuse for the disposer is in the “off” position, then insert the flat blade inside the unit from above so that it “hooks” the blades on the cutting table at the bottom of the cutting chamber.
Turn the handle to free the cutting table. As with a hex wrench, use back and forth rotation on the disposer wrench until you can complete full circles with little or no resistance.
And finally, reach into the machine to remove the offending object, then reactivate the power to test for proper operation.
Disposer wrenches are available at most hardware stores for under $10. Obviously, it too is a good tool to have on hand.
4--Try a pipe or broom handle. If you have tried the reset button to no avail and do not happen to have a hex or disposer wrench in the house, it is well worth trying to free the unit with an ordinary broom handle or pipe at least 18 inches long.
Follow the same safety precaution noted above about making sure the power is off.
The objective is to hook one of the cutting blades. Since the blades are positioned on the sides of the cutting table inside the machine, it is important to insert the rod from above at an angle so its tip is aimed toward the side of the cutting chamber.
Move the pipe or broom handle around the inside of the machine at the bottom until it bumps a cutting blade. These blades are solid protrusions and you will know when you hit one.
Position the tip of the rod against the blade. Put two hands on the rod shaft and push or pull it firmly to force the cutting table to move.
Follow the same basic instructions outlined above to free the cutting table and remove the wedged object. Turn the switch to “on” to test the machine.
If you follow these steps carefully your chances of unjamming the disposer are excellent.
However, sometimes the unit is so corroded or the jam is so tight that there is no way to get it fixed and you will be forced to replace the machine.
Two words of advice if this is the case.
When selecting a new garbage disposer look only for brands that come with the unjamming keyway. Specify this feature with your dealer. And be sure to hang the wrench provided in a convenient spot under the sink.
Also, do not overspend on the disposer. My experience is that the more expensive models do not necessarily last longer nor do a better job. For most residential uses, look for a medium priced unit (about $100) with a one-half-horsepower rating.
And lastly, two tips on prolonging the life of a garbage disposer:
First, even though a disposer should be used sparingly to avoid drain clogs, be sure to run it at least once a week to keep all the moving parts lubricated and reduce the buildup of rust and corrosion.
Second, reduce the grease buildup in the cutting chamber and help eliminate odors by pouring two tablespoons of liquid detergent into the unit while it is running with the water on.
The soap will foam up inside the machine. Keep the unit and the water running until the suds subside. Do this twice monthly.
Caught in a Jam?
Be sure the disposer switch is off before attempting to clear the jam.
1. Reset Button: Try reset button first when disposer won’t work. Overloading may have caused it to pop out. If motor still won’t start next step is to clear jam.
2. Disposer Wrench: Disposer wrench may be inserted in opening. Swivel bottom will grip blades of cutting table at bottom of cutting chamber. Twist handle back and forth until cutting table rotates freely. Reach inside unit to remove offending material. Press reset button and turn on water and power switch. Broom handle may be used in place of disposer wrench.
3. Unjamming Keyway: Many disposers come with a keyway that allows inserting a hex wrench into the cutting table at the bottom of the unit. Move wrench back and forth until cutting table turns. Remove jam.