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By Bob Formisano, About.com Guide to Home Repair

Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting

Sunday June 4, 2006
Next to leaky faucets, repairing a garbage disposal is one of the most common sink repairs you'll make. These workhorses grind away daily making our lives easier but once in a while they need some attention. This tutorial on Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting will guide you through common disposal repairs. Also, you may want to take a look at Anatomy of a Garbage Disposal for a graphic description of the disposal's parts and components.

Comments

June 15, 2007 at 3:29 pm
(1) Kim says:

I just fixed two garbage disposals in my apartment building by using your troubleshooting suggestions!!! Thank you very much you not only saved me money but made my tenants less crabby because of stinky sinks.

September 8, 2008 at 10:11 am
(2) Ellen says:

I have the stuck flywheel that hums when turned on but the suggestions did not resolve the problem. What is the next step? Besides calling a plumber, that is.

September 21, 2008 at 11:21 am
(3) mike says:

Thanks saved me 99 bucks. Great post

October 21, 2008 at 9:39 am
(4) Judy says:

Very helpful and fixed the problem of stuck flywheel but now much louder than before and I am wondering if that is another problem. Thanks again for your helpful column.

November 30, 2008 at 7:45 pm
(5) Gina says:

I just fixed my garbage disposal with your troubleshooting suggestions!! Thank you so much.. No more stinky sink.

December 2, 2008 at 4:07 pm
(6) Nestor says:

Thanks a lot, I almost went out and bought a new one but your trouble shooting tips helped a lot! THANKS!!!!!

December 15, 2008 at 5:55 pm
(7) Frank says:

It works!!! This really helped, and it saved me from buying a new one. Thank you so much!!

May 29, 2009 at 10:31 pm
(8) Ali says:

had a stuck flywheel- thanks to your site i fixed it with a wooden kitchen spoon (couldnt find a wrench that fit)
THANKS FOR A GREAT SERVICE!

August 5, 2009 at 6:35 pm
(9) Jason says:

Thanks this worked for me also!

August 16, 2009 at 4:35 am
(10) Natalie says:

Thank you so much. My husband called me at work and said the disposal does not work. Looked at the problem and thought going to have to buy a new one. I was surfing the net actually looking for a new one then came across this website. Excellent!!! Flywheel was stuck, I fixed it and it is back on running. Saved me some money and the smell!

August 16, 2009 at 10:39 am
(11) homerepair says:

Your welcome Natty! Glad you were able to fix the problem. Now go out to dinner with the money you saved!

August 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm
(12) Carol says:

I am having the same trouble as Kim. I have freed the flywheel (I can see it moving when I move the wrench clockwise) I have run the water and turned the power off and on in short bursts I pressed the reset button and it still doesn’t do anything except hum. Can you tell me what else to do? I also used a stick and moved the flywheel from inside the disposal, so I know that it is not stuck. I need further help.

August 23, 2009 at 5:20 pm
(13) homerepair says:

Hi Carol,

If the situation is the flywheel is not stuck and the reset button has been pushed and the motor is still humming, then I think you need a new disposal.

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