Is it possible to repair a garbage disposal yourself instead of calling a repair man?

Question

In a series of unfortunate events I manged to spill a small amount of aquarium gravel down the side of my sink with the garbage disposal. Ever since then my garbage disposal has been broken.

When you turn it on the "blades" dont spin, though they do move about freely when you (dont try this at home kids) stick your arm down in there to dislodge the rocks that used to keep that side of the sink from draining. I've managed to remove all of the rocks that I can and I cant feel anymore down in there now. So its able to drain again for the time being.

It wont do anything except emanate a faint buzzing sound when you turn it on.

Are garbage disposals fairly complicated or is it something the average (or above average?) can work out and make sense of?

Is it likely my husband could work on it? Or are garbage disposals just one of those things you have to leave up to the professionals? Despite the way it may sound my husband and I are quite clever! ;)

Thanks!

Answer 1

The disposal must come out ...turn it upside down & get the rocks out turn from the bottom with the special wrench all the rocks have to come out or it will jam up again.

Answer 2

I would say garbage disposals are toward the easier side of do it your self projects. Their design, installation and application are all pretty straight forward.

If it is making the buzzing sound the motor relay has probably not tripped but I would try depressing the reset button and giving it another try anyway before doing what I am about to describe.

1. Unplug the electrical power source. Usually 110 volts with a disconnect right there under the sink.
2. Remove the p trap drain pieces from the drain plumbing.
3. Loosen the locking ring at the top of the disposal. It will be located immediately under the sink flange. There is probably three or four locking scews to keep the mounting flanges swedged apart.
4. Turn (twist) the disposal out.

It might be a good idea to have a new sink strainer basket set and some 100% silcone sealant on hand when you do this job just in case yours has not been replaced in a while.

Once the disposal is out, turn it upside down and shake the gravel out of it. You may need to back flush it with a water hose or similar. Continue to rotate the flywheel and shaking it when in the upside down position.

After you are certain you have all the gravel out. Reverse the above steps to re-install.

Good luck

Answer 3

What you need is a disposal wrench. Find at most hardware store bout $3. On the bottom of the disposal in the very center is a slot that it will fit into. This allows you rotate it by hand. Once you free it up, remove the wrench and flip the switch on for just a second and listen. If you hear crunching and grinding noises, stop the disposal and use a shopvac to clear out the rest of the gravel. If the disposal does not turn on then you may have tripped the reset button. It is also located on the bottom of the disposal, and you will need to push it in. Its roughly the size of a q-tip head. If none of this works, well then you need a new one. Good luck.

Answer 4

It's jammed with more of the rocks. There is a hole in the bottom aligned with the main shaft. You need a hex key / allen wrench (one came with the disposer) that you can buy at the hardware store tools area. It's L shaped.

With the power off, go underneath, stick the allen wrench in and rotate the main shaft backwards to unjam the blades and rocks. Bring in your vacuum cleaner and take the hose down the top opening at the sink. Remove the rocks.

Now, back out the vacuum, remove the allen wrench and try the disposer.
* If it runs, you're done.
* If it runs and jams again, repeat the process.
* If it buzzs, shut it off and call a plumber.

Answer 5

ok you ought to have a wrench that got here with the rubbish disposal I often go away them below the sink yet while there is not any longer one there an allen key will slot interior the hollow interior the middle of the backside of the rubbish disposal. positioned the wrench into the socket and turn it decrease to and fro and wreck the jamb loose, then look on the backside of the disposer for slightly purple RESET button it is going to trip if the disposal jambs it extremely is what the wrench frees up verify the reset and then turn the swap. when you unencumber the motor with the allen wrench or the disposal wrench it is recommended to rigorously attain interior the unit and pull out any super chunks of glass till now you hit the swap. stable success and be careful

Answer 6

try the rest button if that dosent work turn off power. and remove the disposal..it is real easy unhook the drain pipes and twist off the metal collar at the top of the unit. it should pop right out then you can remove debris from the unit and if that is not the problem re place it, it is far cheaper to put in a new one as opposed to hiring a person to do it for you and like i said it is real easy. good luck.

Answer 7

If your husband is a handyman for the most part, than he should be able to fix it. Just make sure you turn off the water and have the power off.!! My husband can fix just about anything, and he has taken garbage disposals apart too.

Answer 8

Replace it. It unscrews counterclockwise. There is a tool you can buy to do this. Hardest problem is getting up under the sink and turning it until it comes loose. Be sure to unplug it before you do anything. I have replaced two. And YES, they are BOTH were tough to remove.

Answer 9

On the bottom of your GD there is a reset button. First, turn off the switch, push the reset, then turn on the switch. If it runs you're OK. If it jams again,use a broom handle to unjam it. Reset and try again. Repeat until you clear the rocks. Good luck and be patient.

Answer 10

CALL A REPAIRMAN - YOUR SCREWING AROUND WITH ELECTRICITY