If your garbage disposal is on the fritz, you have a couple of options. You can call out the repairman (and pony up the money to have it repaired), or you can fix it yourself. Since the latter option is the least costly, it’s fortunate that many problems that are experienced with a garbage disposal can be fixed with ease by most homeowners. Many of the problems that arise with a disposal are addressed in the owner’s manual that came with the unit, or you can follow the tips below to get your disposal up and running again. Beware, however, that you must always turn the power to the disposal off at the breaker before you attempt to service or repair the unit, and it is often helpful to remove the splash guard on the disposal before you begin.

Special Tool
One tool that is a must-have for most disposal fixes is the special turning tool that shipped with your unit when it was new. This tool is actually an Allen wrench that is made to specially fit the hole at the disposal’s bottom. To use the tool, you just insert it into the hole and turn it back and forth. If you no longer have the tool, or have misplaced it, you can invariably buy a replacement at your local hardware or home store.

Obstructions
A very common problem that you might experience with your disposal is an obstruction. This sometimes happens when a small object or piece of flatware falls through the unit’s splash guard. Never attempt to remove these obstructions by putting anything into the unit while the power is still on. After the power has been shut off, use a flashlight and then locate the object. If the object is reachable with pliers or tongs, remove it. You might also utilize the special Allen wrench turning tool or other longer object. Once the obstruction has been cleared, you can turn the power to the unit back on and then test the disposal by running some cold water through it and then turning it back on.

Clogs
Another common problem is a clogged drain. Try some drain cleaner first. If the drain cleaner does not work, then place a bucket beneath the drain and then loosen the p-trap fittings using a pipe wrench. Remove the p-trap, locate the clog, and then remove the clog. If you cannot locate where the clog is, you may need to use an auger or a snake to clear the drainpipe further down. You can buy these tools at any big-box retailer or hardware store.

Power Surge
If your garbage disposal stopped working abruptly, this may be due to a power surge or overload. Simply press the reset button on your unit to restart the unit. (You will need to wait a minute before resetting in most instances). If the unit is still not operation, then you may have an electrical or wiring problem. If so, you may need to call out an electrician.

If these troubleshooting tips don’t help, you may, indeed, need to call out a pro. In some instances, it is often less costly and more efficient to replace the garbage disposal instead of fixing it.

Author Bio: Home decor specialist, Alyssa Davis, is a regular writer for Metal-Wall-Art.com, and she offers many ideas on how to design your favorite rooms with orange metal wall decor and gold metal wall decor.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home, decor, design, wall art, improvement, remodel, budget, repair, organize, feng shui, clean