How to Fix a Seized Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal seizes, it means that something is preventing the flywheel from turning the impellers that grind up food and waste. Luckily, having something lodged in your disposal doesn't mean that you have to get a new one installed. You can fix a seized garbage disposal in a manner of minutes.

Flashlight
Tongs or pliers
Hexagonal wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Flip the switch on your breaker box that powers the garbage disposal in order to completely turn off any power going to the appliance.
- 2
  Shine a light down the sink drain to see if there are any visible items stuck in the disposal.
- 3
  Use tongs or pliers to remove items that are obviously blocking the disposal. Never stick your hand into the disposal.
- 4
  Look underneath the garbage disposal (under your sink) and locate the hole in the center that's shaped like a hexagon (with six sides).
- 5
  Insert a hexagonal wrench into the hole and turn it one whole revolution in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
- 6
  Flip the breaker switch, turn on the faucet and turn on the disposal to see if it's working as it should.

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Garbage Disposal