how to fix a garbage disposal?

Question

ok so our garbage disposal worked just fine until my lil bro tried to grind up 7 potatoes worth of peels down it, and now it doesnt do anything at all. Even turned on from the wall it doesnt hum, buzz, or anything else of that nature, just silence. Also, it wont let any water drain out either so the sink kinda stinks now. How do we fix this w/out calling someone or getting a new one?

Answer 1

You should have a hex key that came with the disposal. It fits into a socket at the bottom of the unit under the sink. Manually turn the disposal with the key to free it up, then reset your circuit breaker (The red button at the bottom of the unit). The disposal should be on a separate circuit, so the GFCI outlets near the sink should not have any effect on the unit.

Answer 2

Have you tried the broom handle trick? First of course, make sure the switch is off. Make sure the excess potato is out of the grinding well. Then turn a broom, mop wooden hopefully, upside down put the handle in the well against the side of the disposal and try to turn the disposal. It will hopefully unjam whatever has it jammed. Once you have made a couple complete turns with the broom handle remove it, turn on the water and try the switch again. Hopefully that works. I've done it lots.

Answer 3

First, check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. Since it is near a sink, check for GFCI breaker switches near the sink area to see if they are tripped. Look at the disposer and see if there is a reset switch on it and press it. If you get a humming noise then, turn off the power to the unit and look at the bottom of the disposer. There should be an allen shaped hole. Insert an allen wrench in the hole and move it back and forth until it moves freely.

Answer 4

my kid did this too.

Make sure its off! stick your hand down there and start pulling out the gunk. Potato peels get wrapped around the teeth of the disposal making it stop moving. After you get every single little gross thing out of there. Hit the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and see if it works. you may have to keep searching for what is binding up the blades. Turn the blades/teeth with your fingers to see if something is there that you didnt feel before.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

I agree with most of the others who responded to your plight !However ,do not ever stick your hand in the garbage disposal unless it is turned off at the operating switch and circuit breaker .Also verbally announce to any one else present NOT to touch them until YOU say it 's OK !!!!!!!!! Use a broom handle (turn clockwise ) ,when it turns easily reset the red button and then turn the power back on!!!!!

Answer 6

There is probably a reset button on the bottom of it, usually a small red button. It will trip if the disposal is working too hard or gets too hot.

Answer 7

Most garbage disposers have a reset button on them. Locate it and push it than try operating it again. It probably just got overworked and tripped itself as a safety precaution.

Answer 8

Mine has no reset button that I can see! Help!

It just stopped working. No humming noise. No noise at all when I flip it on.

Answer 9

turn off the power to it. unscew it from it's spot it sounds like it is very clogged if it won't even let water through try to clean out as much as you can before you hook it back turn on the power and see if it will spin if it does put it back in turn on the water and let er rip

Answer 10

sensebles answer and a plunger