Clogged or humming garbage disposal in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors

Two problems account for most disposal calls: the sink will not drain because the disposal is clogged, and the disposal hums but the blades will not turn. They have different causes and different fixes, and Fix Garbage Disposal handles both in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors.

Humming but not spinning

A steady hum with no spinning almost always means the blades are jammed by something hard, such as a bone, a fruit stone, a bottle cap or a piece of cutlery, and the motor is trying to turn against it. Leaving the switch on will only strain the motor, so turn it off straight away. Whatever is wrong, keep your hand out of the sink opening. Switch the disposal off at the wall switch, unplug it or turn off its breaker, and only then look inside, using tongs or pliers rather than fingers.

Clogs and slow draining

If water stands in the sink or drains slowly, the blockage may be in the disposal chamber, in the trap beneath it or further down the drain line. Fibrous food such as celery, potato peel and coffee grounds, and grease that has cooled and set, are frequent causes. Running hot water while using the disposal helps, but a standing clog needs clearing.

What is safe to try

With the power off, you can use tongs to remove anything visible. Many disposals have a socket in the bottom for a hex key that turns the flywheel by hand and frees a jam, and a reset button beneath the unit. If you are not sure, or the disposal still will not run afterwards, stop there and get in touch instead of forcing it.

When to call

Call when the hum continues after you have cleared what you can see, when the sink will not drain at all, or when a bad smell or repeated clogging suggests a blockage further down. Fix Garbage Disposal will work out whether it is a jam, a clog or a failing motor, and tell you which repair or replacement fits.

Get help with a stuck disposal