Are you struggling to turn on your garbage disposal? It may be jammed, but don't worry—it's easy to fix! In this blog post, we'll discuss the causes of garbage disposal jams and provide an easy step-by-step guide for unjamming your garbage disposal.
What Causes Garbage Disposal Jams?
Garbage disposals can jam for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are tough food items stuck in the motor or blades. Flushing large food items or non-food objects can easily clog up pipes or get stuck in the blades.
Unjamming Your Garbage Disposal: Step by Step
1. First, turn off power to the unit at the circuit breaker before attempting any repairs! Disconnecting is essential for safety reasons and will ensure you don't accidentally turn on the disposal or electrocute yourself while trying to fix your disposal. Never put any body parts in the disposal while it is running!
2. Once you have turned off the power to the unit, remove any large objects from the disposal using tongs. Be careful not to cut yourself on any sharp objects!
3. Next, locate the garbage disposal wrench hole at the bottom of the disposal unit. Situated in the center of the underside of the disposal, this allows you to unjam the unit. Insert a garbage disposal wrench into the hole and slowly rotate the wrench clockwise and counterclockwise. Be careful not to apply too much force, as you could break the under-sink drain pipes.
4. Once the disposal is spinning freely, run some hot water to flush away any debris while continuing to rotate the disposal wrench. Take the time now to ensure the disposal is not leaking. If it leaks, the time to replace your garbage disposal has come.
5. Finally, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker and test whether your garbage disposal works appropriately now that it has been unjammed! If not, there is one final step before calling in a professional. Some garbage disposals have a safety switch. The switch automatically trips if the disposal motor is overworked. This switch is a red button located on the underside of the disposal. Press the button a few times to ensure it clicks.
Garbage disposals can quickly become jammed due to build-ups of food particles over time or small objects getting stuck in the motor or blades - but thankfully, these issues are relatively simple fixes! Following our step-by-step guide above, homeowners should have no problem tackling their garbage disposal jams with ease and confidence! Remember though - if in doubt, always consult a professional - Dominick Home Services can help with more complex repairs if needed!
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As always, if you live in the Scottsdale area, you can Contact Dominick Home Services to complete all of your home improvement projects and enjoy your free time.