How To Safely Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is a convenient and eco-friendly way to handle food waste in your Northern Virginia kitchen. Placing food scraps in the garbage can not only lead to odors and bacteria growth, but it also contributes to the piles of food waste taken to garbage dumps each year. That’s why it’s important to keep your garbage disposal operating at peak performance, as a sudden clog can make your entire kitchen sink unusable.

In this article, the plumbing experts at C.B. Lucas discuss the safest way to troubleshoot a garbage disposal clog with a step-by-step guide that prioritizes your safety.

Signs Your Garbage Disposal Is Clogged

It’s important to receive fast attention when your garbage disposal is clogged to restore your system and the functionality of your kitchen. Signs you may have a clog include:

• Slow drainage: Slow draining or standing water that pools in your sink is an indicator that your kitchen sink cannot properly drain due to a clog.
• Unusual noises: Grinding, buzzing, or humming sounds could mean that there is some resistance affecting your blades or motor.
• Foul odors: Persistent odors from your kitchen drain are often the result of trapped food particles.
• Lack of power: If your garbage disposal won’t turn on or stops unexpectedly, it could be jammed by a blockage.

Safety Precautions Before You Begin

When it comes to troubleshooting garbage disposal issues, safety is your number one priority. Before doing any work on your equipment, turn off the power by not only unplugging the disposal but also cutting the power at the circuit breaker to prevent accidental activation.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin attempting to clear a garbage disposal clog, gather these helpful tools:

• Flashlight
• Long-handled tool like wooden spoon, tongs, or pliers
• Plunger
• Allen wrench
• Bucket or towels

Steps To Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

Once the power to your disposal has been cut, follow these simple steps:

• Inspect the drain using a flashlight to locate the clog.
• Attempt to clear any visible debris with your long-handled tool
• Use an Allen wrench in the hole at the bottom of the disposal to manually rotate the blades and free any blockages.
• Fill the sink with water and use the plunger to try to loosen the clog.
• Once clog is gone, run hot water through the drain for several minutes to clear any remaining debris.
• Plug your disposal back in and restore power at your electrical panel.
• Test for proper operation.

When To Call C.B. Lucas

If these steps don’t resolve your garbage disposal issue, don’t delay. Call the team at C.B. Lucas for expert garbage disposal repairs. As part of our comprehensive plumbing services, our experts offer reliable care for even the most complex garbage disposal issues. Plus, with 24/7 emergency service and over 45 years in the industry, we’re sure to restore your system efficiently so that your life can keep moving.

Request garbage disposal repair in Northern Virginia by calling C.B. Lucas today.