Clogged Kitchen Sink Food Disposal

These steps can help you avoid fixing a clogged kitchen sink.

Clogged kitchen sink food disposal.

If the drain is still clogged continue to the next step. Don t overload the disposal. Before trying to unclog it always switch off the garbage disposal s power source for safety purposes. In these situations it s helpful to use a plunger first to try to loosen food that has clogged.

Place the plunger directly over the sink drain so the plunger completely covers the drain. Then inspect it to make sure it s running correctly. The drain fittings can loosen and cause leaking beneath the sink. A clogged kitchen sink with a built in garbage dipsosal may just have food scraps from last night s dinner that the unit failed to grind up in which case running the.

If the disposal has overheated you may need to flip the switch found on the side or bottom of the unit underneath the sink. Then vigorously plunge the drain for a minute. Clamp the end of the. Turn off the power and insert a long dowel a wooden spoon or a broom handle never your hand into the drain opening.

You can usually release the rotor by inserting a hex wrench into the socket in the middle of the rotor from underneath the garbage disposal. Oftentimes a sink can be unclogged using a plunger or baking soda and white vinegar. If your garbage disposal sink is clogged there are several ways you can try to fix it without having to call a plumber. Push the bottom end of the wooden probe against the impeller the blades that grind up the garbage and rock it back and forth to free it.

Food can clog garbage disposals when it isn t broken down enough to be flushed out of the drainpipe. Or the drain connecting the garbage disposer to the rest of the sink s drain trap assembly can become clogged and cause water to back up into the sink basin where the disposer is installed. A clogged disposal can stop up the drain so run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. Most clogs are caused by food or other items lodging between the rotor and casing of the disposal canister.

Grind no more than 1 cup of food waste at a time and do not put any inorganic matter down the drain. Go beneath the sink and locate the dishwasher drain pipe that connects to the garbage disposal if you have one. Lift the plunger and check for water flow. Add water to the sink so the lip of the plunger is covered in water.

If the disposal is still clogged follow these steps.