While garbage disposals are helpful, they aren’t without their faults. One issue you may occasionally encounter is your garbage disposal turning on but not spinning. While this can sometimes indicate that the unit’s motor is worn out, it usually happens because one of the spinning impellers is jammed. Jams most commonly occur because you put something into the disposal that’s too hard for it to grind up and ends up getting trapped between the impeller and the stationary grinding ring.
This is why you should never put anything like bones, fruit pits or stones, nut shells, etc., into a garbage disposal. Fibrous fruits and vegetables like banana peels, squash and celery can also get wrapped around the impellers and prevent a garbage disposal from spinning. The good news is that you can often unjam a garbage disposal and get it working again yourself by following these simple steps.
Unplug the Disposal
If you ever hear that your garbage disposal isn’t spinning, turn it off immediately. If you leave it running, you can easily destroy it as a result of its motor overheating and burning out. Once you’ve shut the unit off, the next step is to unplug the power cord from the outlet. That way, you don’t need to worry about accidentally turning it on while you’re trying to unjam it. If your garbage disposal is hardwired, you’ll need to switch off the circuit breaker for it to shut off the power.
Look for the Cause of the Jam and Remove It if Possible
The next step is to shine a flashlight down inside the disposal to try to see whatever object is causing the jam. If you can see the object, you may be able to remove it with long needle-nose pliers or kitchen tongs. Before attempting to do so, you should press the power button to try and turn the disposal on to make sure that the power is off. If you’re able to remove the object, you can plug the disposal back in or flip the circuit breaker back on and then test to see if it now spins.
Manually Spin the Rotating Disc
If you’re not able to remove the object or the disposal otherwise still won’t spin, the next step is to try to free up the object manually. If you look at the bottom side of the unit, you’ll see a hexagonal hole that fits an Allen wrench. Your disposal should’ve come with a wrench, but you can usually use any standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench if you don’t have the original.
When you insert the wrench into the slot and turn it, it forces the spinning disc to rotate. If you rotate the wrench a complete turn in each direction, you can usually free up whatever was causing the impeller to jam and get the disc to spin freely again.
Test to See If the Disposal Is Unjammed
If you were able to get the spinning disc to move freely by using the wrench, the disposal should now work correctly again. That said, there’s still a chance that it may jam up again if you don’t remove whatever caused the impeller to get stuck. As such, it’s a good idea to use your flashlight to locate and remove the object. If you can’t, it’s still safe to plug the unit back in and test it. Watch to make sure it spins as it should and doesn’t jam a second time.
Contact a Plumber
If you can’t free up the spinning disc with a wrench, the last option is to disassemble the unit and remove the object. While this is something you could attempt yourself, the smarter choice is to hire a professional. Before you can disassemble a garbage disposal, you first need to disconnect it from the plumbing. If you’re not careful when doing this, you could damage your plumbing and cause it to leak. You could also end up ruining the disposal if you don’t disassemble and reassemble it correctly.
For quality plumbing services in Belgrade, Bozeman, West Yellowstone and the surrounding areas, look to PJ's Plumbing & Heating. We’ve been serving Gallatin Valley homeowners and businesses for more than 40 years and can handle all of your plumbing installation and repair needs. Whether it’s fixing a garbage disposal, installing a new unit or whatever else, you can rely on us to get the job done right. To get the prompt plumbing service you need at a fair price, contact PJ's Plumbing & Heating.
