how do you fix a garbage disposal that is backing up?

Answer 1

If the disposal will actually run then it is the outflow drain that is clogged. If you are handy with tools and such you can take it off and try to unclog it but you are probably better off calling a plumber.

If the disposal is not running at all and just hums then it is stuck. There is an old plumber's trick of taking the top end of a broom handle and putting it down in the disposal and moving it around trying to loosened the stuck blades. If you turn the disposal on and it does not work or hum then you may have to hit the reset button usually found on the bottom of the unit under the sink before you try to do the broom trick and turn it back on.

Answer 2

I am not a professional, but a housewife that has to deal with situations like this all the time! lol~ turn off the main switch~ use a plunger to get all the "gunk" out~ Run hot water down the sink & I use Dawn (it breaks up grease) at the same time~this is a temp fix~You will have to eventually remove the garbage disposal and clean it, sounds like a motor prob, maybe it needs just re-tooling ~I just have to be careful about how much "stuff" I put down the drain, & you have to be sure to run a lot of water at the same time~ Good Luck!! Ali

Answer 3

un clog the line the leads from the disposal , un do the pipe from under the sink (put a bucket under it) and clean the gunk out of the pea trap and drain pipe . . put it back together and it should stop backing up into the garbage disposal

Answer 4

It is usually the piping and not the disposer. Remove the drain pipe from the unit and find what is clogging it. Be sure to check the trap as this is where most clogs start.