How to Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

Kitchen garbage disposals can be one of the most convenient and helpful tools in our homes. They make cooking and the dreaded post-meal cleanup a breeze. However, like any other household tool or appliance, garbage disposals are susceptible to their own list of shortcomings, including clogs and other plumbing-related, stinky issues.

Even though garbage disposals are becoming more and more commonly found in kitchens, knowing how to properly use and maintain them isn’t always common knowledge. Taking the time to learn how to take care of your garbage disposal, as well as how to unclog it in a pinch, will ensure that it works well and lasts for years to come.

How does a garbage disposal work in the first place?

Garbage disposals are attached to the underside of a sink and collect food waste in a grinding chamber. When you turn on the disposal, impeller blades pulverize any food in the chamber into very small bits and pieces that can easily pass through the drain with water.

A garbage disposal only works when water is running down the drain simultaneously, carrying the broken up bits down the line in water.

So, why isn’t my garbage disposal draining?

When you notice that your sink is draining slower than usual or it won’t drain at all, that means that there may be a clog or something keeping your garbage disposal and drain from working properly. Possible reasons why your garbage garbage disposal isn’t draining the way it should be include:

1. Objects: it’s fairly common for small objects to fall into the disposal, especially things that are found in the kitchen like forks, measuring spoons, etc. These can completely block the drain and also damage the disposal if it’s turned on with the foreign object inside the drain.
2. Disposing the wrong type of food waste: even though garbage disposals are designed to dispose of food waste, there are certain kinds of food that should not go down into the disposal. For example, potato peels are too fibrous and can easily clog the garbage disposal. They don’t pulverize well in the impeller blades, so they sit in the drain and cause backups. Things like fats and grease can quickly solidify, therefore coating the impeller blades and causing clogs. Avoid putting potato peels, banana peels, coffee grounds, egg shells, fruit pits, seeds, grease or any other hard or similar material down the drain. These are the types of waste that will most likely cause a clog.
3. Not using enough water: when the garbage disposal is running, there needs to be ample water to flush the pulverized food pieces down the drain. Using too little water can cause the food particles to build up and clog the drain. Additionally, only cold water should be used in conjunction with your garbage disposal.

Unclogging Your Disposal

If you suspect that your garbage disposal is clogged due to slow draining water, a strange sound, foul smell or it simply isn’t running the way you want it to, follow these simple steps to get it clean, unclogged and back to normal.

First thing’s first, it’s important to note that you should never insert any object, including your hands or fingers, into the disposal while the power is on. Do not stick your hands or fingers into the disposal under any circumstance, even when the power is switched off. If you ever need to work on your garbage disposal, make sure that the power is completely cut off before starting. Use a tool such as tongs or pliers to do any work inside of the disposal, and wear gloves!

1. Once you turn off the power, look inside the disposal with a flashlight. If you see any large blockage, use tongs or pliers to fish out the object or blockage. This may be enough to unclog your disposal.
2. If you are unable to remove the blockage manually, your drain may be jammed with food particles or your blades are coated with waste or grease. Using a solution of ½ a cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of baking soda mixed together, pour this solution into your drain and wait 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour several cups of very hot water down the drain to flush out the solution. For most clogs, this method will free up and clean your disposal quickly. If it doesn’t work on the first try, using this method a few times in a row may flush out the more stubborn debris.
3. If neither of the aforementioned methods work and your drain is still clogged and backed up with water, plunging the drain may loosen up the blockage. Before plunging the disposal, make sure you stop or clamp shut the other drain or dishwasher line so that dirty water doesn’t get forced into your dishwasher or other appliances. Begin plunging by covering the drain with the plunger or flange and creating a solid seal, and then vigorously plunging up and down for a minute or two. After you’re finished plunging, check to see if any large objects were loosened and remove them with pliers or tongs.

When Nothing Else Works

If you are unable to easily remove a clog in your garbage disposal using one of our DIY methods, it’s time to contact an experienced plumber to get the job done. At Lenox Plumbing, our technicians have seen it all when it comes to clogs and garbage disposal maintenance. We’ll quickly fix any issue you’re having with your disposal system and get your kitchen running like normal again.