How to Repair a Backed Up Garbage Disposal

Repairing a backed up garbage disposal is not a difficult job. You can complete the procedure in less than a half hour. Most disposals have a port on the bottom that allows you to manually turn the masher plate in order to loosen anything that might be clogging the system. When the disposal is backed up, it can also trigger the reset button to shut the unit off, saving it from buring out. You can repair the backed up system yourself and save the expense of calling a repairman to fix it for you.

One-quarter inch Allen wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the electrical cord of the garbage disposal from the electrical outlet before attempting to unplug any backup in the unit.
- 2
  Insert a one-quarter inch Allen wrench into the slot on the bottom side of the garbage disposal and turn the wrench back and forth to loosen any obstructions inside the unit.
- 3
  Pull out any materials that might be clogging the garbage disposal around the masher plate until the unit is free of anything backing up the system.
- 4
  Locate the red reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal and push it in to reset the unit.
- 5
  Plug the electrical cord of the garbage disposal into the electrical outlet.
- 6
  Run hot water from the faucet into the garbage disposal for one minute and with the water still running, turn the disposal on to verify it is no longer backed up.
- 7
  Shut the hot water off.

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