A jammed or silent garbage disposal
A disposal that hums, trips or will not start can usually be unjammed from below with a hex key and the reset button.
Updated · 3 min read
In a nutshell
Turn the disposal's power off, use the hex key in the socket on the bottom to free the flywheel, clear what jammed it, then press the red reset button and test. If it still only hums, the motor or switch has failed.
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Hum, click or silence
Each sound points somewhere different. A hum means the motor gets power but the plates are stuck. Silence means it is not getting power or the overload has tripped.
A click with no hum often points to a worn wall switch or a loose cord connection.
Freeing the flywheel
Never reach into the disposal. Switch it off at the wall and, if it plugs in, unplug it.
Most units have a quarter-inch hex socket in the center of the bottom. Rocking it frees the plates. Then use tongs to lift out the bone, pit or utensil that caused it.
When it leaks or will not reset
Disposers were added to most Rosemead kitchens well after the houses were built, which shows in many tight sink cabinets. Leaks there usually come from the sink flange, the dishwasher hose or a cracked housing.
A housing crack means replacement. A worn flange gasket or loose drain connection can be resealed.
Picking a replacement
Match the mount type if you can, so the new unit fits the existing sink flange. Consider horsepower and noise insulation, and check cabinet space before buying.
Rosemead owners ask
Is it safe to use a broom handle to free the disposal?
Use the hex key from below. It gives better leverage and keeps your hands out of the unit.
Why does my disposal trip its reset every time?
A recurring trip usually means a binding motor or a partial jam. If clearing does not stop it, the motor is wearing out.
Can I put the disposal on the dishwasher drain?
Yes, most disposers have a dishwasher inlet. The knockout plug inside must be removed first.