How to Unclog Your Own Garbage Disposal.

Garbage disposals are great at quickly and effortlessly pulverizing food waste, helping to keep our kitchen trash cans goo and stink free. But every once in a while, the disposal gets clogged and leaves many homeowners scratching their heads regarding next steps.  Like, right now perhaps?

Well, before you pick up the phone to call a plumber, why not first try fixing it yourself!  All you need are a few essentials, a little DIY know-how, and the 4-step process below.  It won’t work every time, but it works a lot of the time.

MATERIALS

• Flashlight
• Long-handled tongs
• Kitchen plunger
• Vinegar
• Baking soda

1. 1. First and foremost, turn off the breaker that controls the garbage disposal. Otherwise you could end up with an emergency room visit instead of a repaired disposal.
2. Once the breaker is off, shine the flashlight into the disposal to see if you can spot any objects that could be causing the pesky clog. If so, use the long-handled tongs to carefully remove as much as you can. Then turn the breaker back on and turn on the disposal – you may need to push the reset button. If it works properly and drains water, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. If not, continue to step 3.
3. Turn off the breaker again and cover the drain completely with a kitchen plunger. Fill the sink with just enough water to cover the edge of the plunger and plunge the drain several times to help dislodge any food remnants. Remove the plunger to see if the water has drained. If so, turn the breaker and disposal back on. If the disposal is able to process the food scraps and continues to drain water, you’re all done. If not, proceed to step 4.
4. Once again, turn off the breaker and pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain followed by ½ cup of vinegar. Allow it foam up and fizz and let it sit for 10 minutes. The baking soda and vinegar combo will have the same effect as a commercial drain cleaner, but will be much gentler on your pipes. Turn the breaker and disposal back on, hitting the reset button if necessary, and run hot water into the drain for another couple minutes. If this does the trick – and in many cases it does – you officially have bragging rights. If not, it’s time to call in the pros.

The pros, in this case, are right here any time you need us:  Your 1 Plumber.  And that goes for garbage disposal repair or any other home plumbing need you might have.