How to Fix a Garbage Disposal Unit: A Complete Guide

Problems with garbage disposals are one of the most common household headaches that every homeowner encounter. Despite being common, it can be annoying to find that your garbage disposal is acting up and your cleaning routine for the day is disrupted.

Knowing how to fix the common problems of a garbage disposal comes in handy when plumbers are not easily available such as the holidays or when your monthly budget is tight.

A good understanding of the basic functions of the machine with the tested solutions to resolve the issues like jamming and clogging would allow you to repair your garbage disposal like a pro.

When you are unable to turn on the garbage disposal:

If your disposal does not turn on when you switch it on, there might be an electrical problem.

Follow these steps to figure out if an electrical problem is the reason behind the aggravation:

Check if the garbage disposal is properly plugged in.
Press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal and turn it on again. This reset button works as a built-in circuit breaker function. If it has tripped, then it will be slightly popped outward.
If pushing in the reset button does not help, check your main electrical panel, to which the unit is connected, for any tripped breaker.
Still, if your disposal will not power on, then check the switch controlling the power. Sometimes a loose wire is the cause behind the problem. Tighten any loose wires and then turn on the service panel.
If the wire connections are secure, then there might be a problem with the switch itself. Replace the switch.

If your garbage disposal still does not turn on and its motor makes no noise, the garbage disposal is beyond repair and needs to be replaced with a new one.

When the disposal just hums but does not grind:

If the garbage disposal makes a humming sound on turning on but does not grind the waste, the reason might be a jammed flywheel.

Switch off the disposal and unplug the garbage disposal.
Remove the stagnant water in the sink with a help of a plunger or pouring the water into a bucket.
Attach a strong clamp over the flexible part of the drain line to prevent dirty water from backflowing into the dishwasher.
Inset the adjustable wrench or hex keys into the flywheel turning hole in the bottom of the disposal.
Turn the adjustable wrench back and forth to rotate the blades. This will break up the clog and the blades will move freely.
Press the red reset button on the bottom.
Run some tap water into the disposal and flip the switch on and off for a short burst. Turn on and off again quickly. This would spin the flywheel and dislodge any remaining debris to be washed down the drain.

When the garbage disposal drains the water slowly:

If you see slow drainage of water, it could be due to a clog in the drain. Removing the food waste blocking the pipes could help you fix the issue.

To disassemble the drain trap and discharge pipe, remove the bolts securing the discharge pipe to the disposal.
Disconnect the drain trap and remove the trap and discharge the drainpipe.
Remove any clogs or obstructions if any.
If you do not find any clog, then the clog might be in the branch drain line going into the wall. Clear the clog by using a sink auger.
Reassemble the drain trap and attach the discharge tube to the side of the garbage disposal.
Turn on the tap and switch on the garbage disposal to check if the water is draining freely.

Best Practices to avoid clogging and slow drainage:

Separate eggshells, starchy food, coffee grounds, greasy food, large bones, metal, glass, and plastic from the waste.

Grind no more than 1 cup of food waste to prevent overloading of the disposal.

Make sure you clean the disposal with a good disposal cleaner or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water every month.

Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners to clean the disposal.

To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh and the blades sharp, grind a few bits of lemon peel with a cup of ice cubes once every two months.