Current Events > Why the FUCK does my garbage disposal keep getting clogged

(+) Yeah! (+)

Like one day I'm doing the dishes and everything's fine. Basically nothing goes down the drain except soap/water. And then the next time I try to do dishes the water won't drain!! When I run the disposal, it just kinda hums, it doesn't sound like there's anything stuck imo.

Also the other side of the sink drains fine when this is going on. I keep having to plunge it, what do I do? I barely put anything down the disposal ever

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Body parts don't go in the disposal

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Should have tipped the plumber

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are you just plunging it every time or have you actually tried using a drain cleaner?

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How old is it?
Low "hum" suggests the motor is failing.

Too many lunchables shoved down it to clean out the fridge.

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Even as careful as you may be there can still be some buildup of grease after washing dishes over time.
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ultimate reaver posted...

are you just plunging it every time or have you actually tried using a drain cleaner?

Like a cleaner fluid, or a snake tool? I'm just plunging cuz thats all I have right now

Questionmarktarius posted...

How old is it?
Low "hum" suggests the motor is failing.

Not sure, I just moved in recently. The place was built in 2007 but idk how old the disposal is. Im honestly fine never using it, but I want the water to drain normally at least

WaterLink posted...

Even as careful as you may be there can still be some buildup of grease after washing dishes over time.

Hmm if thats the case, what can I do?

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It should be a hard reset on the bottom of it try that

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TeaMilk posted...

Hmm if thats the case, what can I do?

A little bit of drano should clear up grease.

ZeroX91 posted...

It should be a hard reset on the bottom of it try that

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I did try that and it didn't do anything. I used to be able to press it and hear it 'click' but it doesn't really do that anymore

Questionmarktarius posted...

A little bit of drano should clear up grease.

Hmm ok worth a try, ill pick some up

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When it is draining okay, boil a large pot of water and pour it down the drain, do this a couple times and it will break up and flush a good bit of grease, Then use the drain cleaner, let it sit for the longest amount of time instructed (It's usually 15 to 30 mins) and then do one more pot of boiling water. Wife has 3 plumbers on her side of the family and we had a bad backup in our kitchen sink and that's what was suggested and it worked really well.

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BlazeYoungblood posted...

When it is draining okay, boil a large pot of water and pour it down the drain, do this a couple times and it will break up and flush a good bit of grease, Then use the drain cleaner, let it sit for the longest amount of time instructed (It's usually 15 to 30 mins) and then do one more pot of boiling water. Wife has 3 plumbers on her side of the family and we had a bad backup in our kitchen sink and that's what was suggested and it worked really well.

Awesome, will try this thanks. Do you know if I gotta get the brand name Drano, or is generic just as good? Its way cheaper so I'm inclined to get Mr. Plumber

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If the disposal's just humming the flywheel may be stuck; I had the same issue a couple months back. If you run it for too long like that it'll burn out the motor.

It varies from model to model, but on my Insinkerator there's a slot for a hex key at the bottom of the undersink unit that can be used to free the flywheel. It takes some force but gets it done.

(I shouldn't have to say this but unplug the damn thing before inserting a metal object into it.)

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Don't waste time with Draino or Hot Water. Get under there and clean the trap. If it clogs then the disposal will shut itself off automatically.

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