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If the disposal is plugged in and doesn’t need to be reset, check the circuit breaker. If the disposal requires resetting, the button will be popped out. If the disposal is plugged in, check the reset button on the bottom of the disposal unit. It’s also easy to knock plugs out of those outlets accidentally, especially in dark places. It’s easy to forget that some disposals have wall outlets. If the garbage disposal won’t turn on, then it’s probably not getting power. You may need to remove the object causing the jam, but turn off the power first and use a flashlight to find the object.
#Garbage disposal not working free
Use the wrench provided with the disposal or one you have to work the shaft back-and-forth to free up the disposal. Most garbage disposals have an Allen wrench opening on the bottom of the disposal motor, connecting to the motor shaft. You can fix a jammed flywheel yourself, but NEVER stick your hand down the garbage disposal, and be sure to turn off and unplug your garbage disposal immediately. Disposals jam when something gets lodged in the “flywheel,” which is the rotating plate inside the mechanism. If the disposal’s motor is running but the disposal won’t work, it sounds loud, or it starts and stops, then it’s probably jammed. If your disposal isn’t working, however, kitchen sink clogs are one very common symptom. Clogs happen all the time, even if your disposal works. Your kitchen sink could clog for several reasons, including grease, sediment or food buildup. If the water in your kitchen sink isn’t draining, then it’s your kitchen sink pipe (not the disposal itself) that’s probably clogged.
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(Most of the time, motor failure necessitates replacement.) But there are a few things you can look for if your disposal is not working: Garbage disposal clogs When your disposal stops working and can’t be restarted, or when the motor fails or “blades” break off, it’s time to get a new one. You don’t want to do this too often, though once a week for heavily used disposals should be fine. Throwing an ice cube or two in your running disposal can help remove debris stuck to the blades. This will ensure that there is no food left behind and will keep it clean inside. To prevent any further clogs, try sending a little bit of dish soap down the disposal. This makes sure that all food is completely flushed down the drain. Keep your disposal running for an extra minute or two, with the water running, once it has completed grinding up excess food. The boiling water will help wash away any food that has been caught in either the drainpipe or the disposal chamber. This is a good tip to follow once a month.
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These items could cause the blades to break and result in a costly repair. Lastly, bones and fruit pits should go in the trash, not the disposal. Don’t send fibrous vegetables such as celery down the drain either their skins can become tangled in the blades. Never pour fats, oils or grease down the drain. However, there are several other things that should be kept away from your disposal, such as eggshells and potato peels. Know what not to put down the garbage disposalĬertain things are a given when it comes to what shouldn’t go down your drain: metal and plastic items. While you may think hot water is the answer, warmer temperatures can actually melt that remaining food, causing it to stick to the pipes instead of being broken down by the appliance’s blades.
#Garbage disposal not working how to
How to extend the lifespan of a garbage disposal unit Run cold water when using itĬold water will cause food caught in the drain to harden, making it easier for your garbage disposal to grind it up. But there are a few things you can do to extend the life of your disposal. This isn’t to say they don’t eventually die. There have even been instances of a higher-horsepower “pro” model (1 HP versus a cheaper 1/5th HP model) lasting for 30 years. Garbage disposal lifespanĪ good-quality disposal could last for decades. So how do you know when it’s time to replace or repair it? Read on to get some ideas. Nothing can put a damper on cooking a nice dinner or cleaning up your dishes and kitchen than when a garbage disposal gets clogged or jammed, flooding your sink with debris or even leaking. In a busy household, garbage disposals get quite a workout.
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