Garbage disposals can be a convenient way to dispose of food debris without stinking up your trash. However, they can also be a source of frustration when they stop working. These are two steps you can take when your garbage disposal breaks.

1. Check the Power

If your disposal won’t turn on, it may not be receiving power. Check to see if it is plugged in. Next, look for the reset button. If the reset button has tripped, push it back in. If it doesn’t stay in, wait 10 minutes and press it again. If that doesn’t fix the problem, check your circuit breaker to see if the breaker tripped and turn it back on if it has. The wall switch could also be a culprit, so try checking it for loose connections. Finally, check to see if the wires that connect the unit to the power source have come loose. If none of these steps resolve your problem, contact garbage disposal services Claremore OK to have your unit assessed.

2. Clear Any Jams

If your unit powers on, but just makes a humming sound without doing anything else, it may be jammed. Turn your unit off immediately when this happens. Next, turn the power off to your disposal at your electrical panel and verify that it is off with the wall switch for your unit. Use the wrench that came with your disposal to turn the hole at the bottom of the lower grinding chamber clockwise to attempt to dislodge whatever is jamming your disposal. Alternatively, you can attempt to dislodge the item by inserting the handle of a wooden spoon into the drain opening and then use pliers to pull the item out.

If your garbage disposal is not working, there are steps you can take to try to fix the problem. However, if these steps do not work, you may need to contact a plumber for assistance.