Ever go to use your garbage disposal and while it just worked the other day, now it only hums without spinning? In most cases the moving, metal parts have either rusted together or have some type of debris jammed between the blades causing it to seize. To overcome this problem you must manually spin the blade to break it free. Sometimes when the jam occurs it trips the overload button at the base of the disposal shutting off power to the appliance. If so, this button will need to be reset after you remedy the problem.
Your garbage disposal may have a disposal wrench slot. This slot will fit a standard 1/4 inch Allen wrench or Allen wrench bar. Sometimes this bar may be found taped to the side of the disposal. They are often placed there at the time of installation. If your disposal doesn't have a wrench slot, you may have to use something similar to a wooden spoon handle to manually spin the blade in the disposal.
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Steps freeing a seized blade.
Your garbage disposal may have a disposal wrench slot. This slot will fit a standard 1/4 inch Allen wrench or Allen wrench bar. Sometimes this bar may be found taped to the side of the disposal. They are often placed there at the time of installation. If your disposal doesn't have a wrench slot, you may have to use something similar to a wooden spoon handle to manually spin the blade in the disposal.
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Steps freeing a seized blade.
- Remove the plug from the outlet, cutting off the power to the disposal.
- Insert the wrench into the slot at the bottom of the disposal and using it like a crank, work it back and forth in both directions. If your unit doesn't have the slot, try using the handle of a wooden spoon for leverage while trying to turn the blade.
- Once the blade is free, push the reset button (if applicable) to restore power to the unit.
- Plug the unit in at the outlet and test it.
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