I have a garbage disposal that has obviously stopped working but I don't know why. When I hit the "On" switch to run it, it makes a humming noise but nothing else happens. I don't really use it very much so I can't point to anything specific that may have broken it. It does not appear to be leaking.

Any suggestions? Anything I can do to fix it myself?

Thanks in advance!
Bill

letmetellu

My guess is that you disposal has locked down because of some foreign object has gotten down into the disposal turn table and has wedged between the cutters and the housing. Shine a light into the disposal and see if you can see anything around the edge of the inside of the disposal, could be a soda can tab, a coin, a bread wrapper tie or something similar, if you see anything try to remove it by turing the table with a strong stick, ( S broom handle or such). If you quit hearing the buzzing while the disposal is on, turn off the switch and wait a few minutes, then press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and then continue to undo the lodged piece.

massplumber2008

Hi UB:

Letmetellu is on the right track here!! Check for foreign objects (power off!!). Then, second line of defense here is almost always the broom stick...

The broom stick was used by most people because they did not know that there is an allen wrench slot at the underneath of the disposal at dead center. It works even better than the broomstick...most of the time!!

If you want to use the broom handle...go for it!!

If you want to use the allen wrench or the wrench provided with the unit, you MUST SHUT THE SWITCH OFF TO THE DISPOSAL (NO HUMMING!!)...Then find an allen wrench that is correctly sized to the allen slot or find the wrench that is usually provided with the unit (see picture below) and insert it into the slot.

Insert the wrench...again...POWER IS OFF!!!...Then turn the wrench to loosen the debris that is JAMMING the unit!!!

Then REMOVE THE WRENCH!!

Then try the switch to the disposal and see what happens.

Use water as soon as starts to work.

Let us know how it goes...Mark

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UncleBilly

Can you please tell me a little more about the alien wrench? I dont see this on the unit and I am not familiar with it.

My unit is at least 15 years old.

Thanks.

massplumber2008

Wow!! May be reaching the end for this unit if it is 15 years old.

Check out the picture below. Again, power must be confirmed SHUT OFF to do this!!

Please reread my last post for your own safety before doing this work...

If the disposal ALLEN wrench is not present then you need to purchase a 1/4" ALLEN WRENCH and insert it into the bottom of the disposal as the picture shows you. Then turn the allen wrench aggressively...back and forth...until you feel disposal UNJAM!! Then REMOVE THE ALLEN WRENCH before proceeding!!

Then...look into disposal with a flashlight and see if you can see what it was that jammed this unit...??? Remove anything obvious.

Then you want to run some water...and then turn on the electrical switch to the disposal and FLUSH away any remaining debris/sediment.

Let me know if you have any more questions...glad to help!!

Mark.

PS: Please ignore fact that the picture I just posted is missing the ELECTRICAL romex connector and is extremely unsafe condition!! It was the only picture I had that showed the allen wrench inserted into disposal!!

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afaroo

Unclebilly, click on link below it is the same instruction as Mark have stated, Thanks.

Unjamming A Garbage Disposal

speedball1

I never use the Allen wrench supplied with the unit to clear a jammed disposal table. Not enough leverage. I carried a wooden handle from a plunger on my truck. When I have a jammed disposal I inserted the handle down into the disposal table, behind the cutter blade for purchase, and procede to lever the table backwards,( counterclockwise) until it turns freely.
I then reach down and pick out the screw or pop-top that was the jammer.
regards, Tom

UncleBilly

OK there is no Allen wrench and no place to put one on this unit anyway. No "slot" for it.Too old maybe? Anyway, nothing is working yet but still trying the suggestions you guys have mentioned here.

Milo Dolezal

You have some small piece of bone stuck bet. wall of the GD and the turning part of your GD. Take a flash light, remove the splash guard (black rubber piece inside the opening ) and carefully examine the interior, especially, along side of the GD wall. Than, use either the hex-wrench as suggested above - or simply take a broom stick, put it inside your GD and try to break the grip by trying to turn the knife plate manually. No matter what you do - UNPLUG IT FIRST !

massplumber2008

Bill...did you see the picture I posted above this post..??

It is the picture of the BOTTOM of the disposal!!! There is a slot for an allen screw in ALL disposals....that I have ever seen...

Double check that first and when find the slot PURCHASE a 1/4" allen wrench and try out what I suggested....

OR, can go with the broom handle everyone posted about trying (check out Afaroo's link to read more).

Good luck...MARK