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Dana Krull Posted on Feb 16, 2017
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Disposal isnt working its full of junk how do i get absolutely all power off to it so i can clean it out and then what do i do to troubleshoot it and if i need to replace how to do that?

Any help im a single woman in a house full of issues i cant afford to hire to fix...

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Salvagedrover

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  • Expert 417 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 21, 2017
Salvagedrover
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How about creating a compost barrel? Pretty easy, there is a site called family handyman that has a pretty straightforward plan for one. But, if you can't be bothered to do that, just google to quickly find a list of items that CAN'T go into a garbage disposal. Most garbage disposals that are installed correctly have a traditional 110/120v plugged into an outlet installed under the sink that you can easily disconnect. If it's wired directly into the house wiring, you'll need to determine which breaker in your service panel to turn off so that you don't get mildly electrocuted or chop off a hand or something. Most disposals have a small hex-shaped allen bolt hole underneath that you find an allen wrench to put in and work the disposal back and forth by hand, that should free up whatever clogs are inside. Make sure you leave some sort of screen or stopper in the drain to stop silverware or random things from falling in that shouldn't fall in like tea bags, ends of onions, tomato stems, nut shells, things that may not "shred" easily. If you need to ultimately replace it, (which is rare and unlikely), you will need to ask a neighbor or someone handy to figure it out, because not to sound like a chauvinist, but most women technically CAN do most things men can, they just don't WANT to, or can be bothered to learn or whatever else, that's why guys fix stuff and women typically don't. Anyway, good luck, I'm sure it's just a little clogged with some junk that your hands can reach in and take back out, I REALLY wouldn't worry about it being broken, I'm pretty sure it's not.

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0helpful
1answer
tip

Cleaning and preserving a garbage disposal

Once a week or so turn the tap on at the sink and turn the disposer on. Then drop a cup of ice in the disposer. The ice will remove any grime and build up and the water will wash it all down the drain.
on Feb 20, 2015 • Garbage Disposals
tip

Install a new garbage disposal

A garbage disposal can be either installed from scratch or instead of an older disposal.

First of all you need to shop for the disposal that best matches your needs.
For example you should consider whether a noisy disposal would be a problem in your household, what kind of plumbing you have, or if you have kids or not.

Here are some guidelines:
- Choose a motor suitable for your household. There are models with lower or higher horsepower, for smaller households with small amounts of food waste, or larger households with more food waste.
- Consider the features that you need. Like a quieter disposal, or one made of stainless steel, or one that connects to the dishwasher. There is a vast variety of options and prices.
- If you have kids you might want to consider getting a batch feed disposal rather than a continuous feed one. The batch feed disposal is a bit more expensive but it is also safer for kids, as it requires the use of a stopper prior operation. While the continuous feed disposal starts running when you flip the switch on and will continue running a bit also after you switch it off. This can be dangerous if someone drops utensils down the drain or sticks a hand inside the disposal.
- If your plumbing connects to a septic tank you need a disposal made for septic tanks.

After shopping for the right disposal, you need to get hold of these tools you'll be needing for the installation:
- Electrical cord
- Disposer wrench
- Hacksaw
- Screwdriver
- Water pump pliers
- Plumber's putty
- Safety supplies: goggles, dust mask, gloves

When you are ready, the first thing to do before installing the new disposal is to turn off power and make sure nobody turns it back on while you work.

Now you can proceed removing the old disposal.
If the old disposal is attached to a dishwasher, loosen and detach the dishwasher hose with a screwdriver.
Then with the wrench unscrew the slip-nut connecting the disposal to the "P" trap waste line, putting a bucket under the trap to catch any waste water sitting at the bottom of the trap.
Remove the old disposal with the screwdriver and take apart the rest of the mounting assembly, including the ring on the sink sleeve, the sink sleeve, the flange, the fiber gasket and the old plumber's putty. Make sure to clean well the sink, the sleeve, the flange and sink opening from old putty and grime before installing the new disposal.

You are now ready to wire your disposal, whether it came with appliance wires attached or if you need to attach them yourself following carefully the manufacturer's instructions (after unscrewing the cover plate beneath the disposal and then screwing it back in).

The next step is installing the drain flange and mounting ring by rolling some plumber's putty between your hands to form a snake about half inch thick and 10 inches long and applying it to the underside of the drain flange. Insert the flange into the drain hole and press down to attach it. You can then snap on the backup ring, fiber gasket and mounting ring.
Use a knife to cut away the extra plumber's putty that will have squeezed out around the flange.

At this point you can place the disposal into the mounting ring making sure that the disposal's outlet is facing the drain pipe connection, and tighten it until it stays in place.
Connect the P-trap, using the hacksaw to cut the discharge pipe to size if too long, and attach it to the outlet of the disposal. Make sure to connect it properly by reading carefully the manufacturer's instructions. If your disposal connects to the dishwasher attach the discharge tube to the disposal as well.

You can now turn the power back on and run cold water into the sink, turning on the disposal to make sure it's working and to check if there are any leaks, and running some food through the disposal to make sure it grinds and disposes properly.

You can also use this video to follow more visual instructions and help you in the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPaMgqnLW1M

Make sure to mantain your garbage disposal in good shape by avoiding grinding certain items like hard shells from shrimps, crabs or other shellfish, unpopped popcorn kernels and hard bones, by avoiding fibrous or starchy foods like banana peels, celery, potato peels, corn cobs, artichokes, fruit pits and hard seeds like avocados or peaches, onion skins and egg shells, as they create clogs and membranes that will ruin the disposal, and by cutting down big pieces of food into smaller pieces.
It is also best to run cold water while the disposal is on, keeping both water and disposer running for about a minute after the sink is cleared. Cold water helps push food down, avoid overheating of the system and unlike hot water, doesn't melt fat, that would re-solidify as a blockage further down the drain.
on Dec 23, 2013 • Garbage Disposals
0helpful
1answer

All of a sudden I am hearing a clicking noise and I can't find anything stuck or loose. It is rotating but making this noise,

Disposal parts get loose... as long as disposal is working, it is ok
Clean out with vacuum cleaner to remove stray parts etc
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

0helpful
1answer

Kitchenaid disposal kws 200A model

Use vacuum clean and use broomstick to rotate cutter disc
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

0helpful
1answer

Reset button not working

Try reset button on bottom of disposal.
Following link has full troubleshoot resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html
If reset will not restore functionality, check that unit is getting power, and then check that unit is receiving 80% rated voltage. Replace disposal.
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If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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2answers

Garbage disposal won't stop running

Check switch. replace switch. If switch checks out, then replace disposal to avoid risk of overheating and in-wall short.
Copy following link to repair, troubleshoot and replace disposal:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html
Add a comment as needed, or repost question with detail

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

0helpful
1answer

Water won't drain

Remove P-trap and clean tubular drain and p-trap
Copy following link to repair, troubleshoot and replace disposal:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html
Add a comment as needed, or repost question with detail

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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