Garbage Disposal Jammed or Leaking? Fixes That Work
Most disposal problems announce themselves by sound or by where the water shows up. Here is what to try and what to leave alone.
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The short answer
If your disposal hums but will not spin, it is jammed, and you can usually free it with a hex key from underneath. If it is silent, press the red reset button and check the switch and the breaker. If it leaks, the location of the leak tells you whether a new gasket will do or the unit has to be replaced.
One rule comes before all the fixes. Turn the power off at the wall switch, and if you can, at the breaker, before you put a tool near the unit. Never put your hand into a disposal.
Fix a jam, step by step
- Switch the disposal off at the wall and at the breaker
- Look under the sink for a hex-key socket in the center of the unit's base
- Insert the hex key, usually a quarter-inch size, and work it back and forth until it turns freely
- Look into the chamber with a flashlight and pull out any object with tongs or pliers
- Press the red reset button on the underside of the unit
- Restore power, run cold water and test the disposal
Find the leak
Water under the sink can come from several places. Dry the area, run water and watch where it appears first.
| Where the water appears | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| At the top, where the sink meets the disposal | Loose or worn sink flange seal | Reseat the flange with new plumber's putty or a new gasket |
| At the pipe connection on the side | Loose drain fitting or worn gasket | Tighten the fitting or replace the gasket |
| Where the dishwasher hose attaches | Loose clamp or a cracked hose | Tighten or replace the hose |
| From the bottom or the housing | Cracked housing or failed internal seal | Replace the disposal |
| Only when the dishwasher runs | Blocked dishwasher drain connection | Clear the connection and check the knockout plug |
The disposal runs but the sink will not drain
That points to a clog past the disposal, in the trap or the branch line. The disposal is grinding, but the water has nowhere to go. A plunger with the drain stopped off, or clearing the trap, may fix it. If the same sink clogs again after a short time, the line has buildup that the disposal cannot solve, and our drain cleaning page explains what to do.
Never use chemical drain cleaner in a disposal. It can damage seals and splash back when you work on the unit.
Smells
A bad smell usually comes from food residue on the chamber walls, not from a fault. Run cold water and grind ice cubes, then a few citrus peels, and clean the underside of the splash guard by hand with a brush. If the smell returns and drains are slow, the line may be coated in grease, which is a job for hydro jetting.
When to repair and when to replace
A jam or a tripped breaker is worth fixing. A leak from a fitting can be fixed. A leak from the body of the unit, a seized motor or a disposal that has run for many years is usually cheaper to replace than repair. Our page on garbage disposal repair and installation covers replacement.
If you replace the unit yourself, remember the dishwasher knockout plug. If it is not removed, the dishwasher will not drain properly.
Keep it working
Run cold water before, during and for 15 seconds after you use the disposal. Cut large scraps into small pieces and feed them in gradually. Keep grease, bones, fruit pits, pasta and rice out. If you rent, tell the landlord about a leak promptly, since water under a sink can damage the cabinet and floor.
Tools that make the job easy
- A hex key, usually a quarter-inch size, for freeing a jam from underneath
- Tongs or long pliers for lifting objects out of the chamber
- A flashlight to see into the chamber
- A bucket and towels for water under the sink
- A screwdriver and adjustable pliers for tightening fittings
- Plumber's putty or a replacement gasket for a flange leak
The dishwasher connection
The dishwasher drains through a small hose that connects to a port on the disposal. If a new disposal is installed and the dishwasher starts backing up into the sink, the knockout plug inside that port was probably not removed. It is a small plastic disc that must be punched out before the hose is attached.
A hose that loops properly, high under the counter, also keeps sink water from running back into the dishwasher.
What horsepower means
Disposals are sold by motor size, from small units to larger ones. A stronger motor grinds tougher scraps with less strain and less noise, and it tends to last longer in a home that cooks often. A small unit is fine for light use. Buy for the way your household uses the sink, not for the lowest price on the shelf.
When to stop and call a plumber
Stop if the disposal leaks from the housing, if the reset button trips again right after you press it, or if the hex key will not turn the plate at all. Those point to a failed motor or a damaged unit, and further attempts risk injury. Call as well if water is reaching the cabinet floor and you cannot tell where it starts. A plumber can find the source in a few minutes and tell you whether to repair or replace.
Questions about this topic
The grinding plate is jammed. Turn off the power and free it with a hex key from underneath.
On the underside of most units, a small red button. Press it after the unit has cooled.
If the leak is at a fitting or the sink flange, yes. If the housing leaks, replace the unit.
No. It can damage the seals and splash when you work on the unit.
Many run for around a decade with careful use. Grease and hard scraps shorten that.
Related guides
Hydro Jetting vs Snaking: Which Clears a Drain Better?
A snake opens a hole. A jet cleans the pipe. Which one you need depends on why the drain is clogged.
Drain Cleaning Cost in Sacramento County, CA: What to Expect
National price ranges, the factors that move the bill and how to tell a fair quote from a padded one.
Who Pays the Plumber: Landlord or Tenant in California?
In most cases the landlord pays for plumbing that stops working. The exceptions and the steps to take are worth knowing.
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