My Garbage Disposal Is Jammed. What Should I Do? Tips from a Deerfield Beach Plumber
📞 (954) 497-2300 | Veteran’s Plumbing, open 24/7 for Deerfield Beach and all of South Florida.
If your garbage disposal hums but will not spin, it is jammed. Turn off the power, never put your hand inside, and use the hex key slot on the bottom to free the blades, then press the red reset button. If it still will not run, leaks, or the sink backs up, call a plumber. Veteran’s Plumbing repairs and replaces garbage disposals in Deerfield Beach homes and condos.
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How Do I Safely Unjam a Disposal?
- Turn off the disposal switch and unplug it or switch off the breaker
- Insert a hex key in the socket on the bottom center and work it back and forth
- Use tongs, never your hand, to remove objects from the chamber
- Wait a few minutes, press the reset button, then restore power and test with cold water running
Why Does My Disposal Keep Jamming?
Hard items such as bones, fruit pits and shells, and fibrous foods like celery and onion skins, are common culprits. Older disposals also lose power as they wear, so they jam more often.
Don’t let a small problem turn into water damage
A licensed, veteran-owned plumber can find the cause and fix it right the first time. Call us before it gets worse.
What if the Sink Is Still Clogged?
A jammed disposal and a clogged drain are different problems. If the disposal runs but water will not drain, the blockage is in the trap or drain line and needs a drain cleaning.
When Should I Replace My Disposal?
Replace it if it leaks from the body, trips the reset button constantly, makes grinding metal noises, or is more than about 10 years old. A new unit is a quick install for a plumber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grease in the garbage disposal?
No. Grease hardens in the drain line and causes clogs even when the disposal runs fine.
Why does my disposal smell?
Food residue builds up in the chamber. Grind ice and citrus peels and run plenty of cold water.
Do you install garbage disposals?
Yes. Veteran’s Plumbing installs and replaces disposals throughout Deerfield Beach and Broward County.
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Call Veteran’s Plumbing: (954) 497-2300
Veteran-owned and available 24/7 from our base at 3020 NW 23rd Ave in Oakland Park, serving Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale and communities across South Florida.
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