How do I Fix a Garbage Disposal?

Sooner or later, virtually every homeowner will be forced to fix a garbage disposal. If the blades are not broken, or if the motor is not burned out, the repair job is a relatively easy process. Before attempting a repair, one should always unplug the disposal and turn off its power source at the breaker box. Even with the electricity off, it is never a good idea to reach into a garbage disposal with bare hands. Always use tongs or a pair of pliers. With the power off, the first step one should take to fix a garbage disposal is to press the re-set button. This button will be either black or red, and is located on the side or bottom of the disposal unit. All that needs to be done is to press this button, restore power, run water through the disposal, and flip the unit’s “on” switch. Many times, this procedure will solve any problem. Many other times it won’t, and further steps must be taken to fix the garbage disposal. If the unit merely hums and refuses to grind, in all likelihood ...  more

So glad to have found this website! I put lettuce down the disposal and it was fine at first, then it happened. The baking soda, vinegar, with boiling water, and plunging worked perfectly! Thank you!  more