Clogged Disposal? Find Out How to Clear it Safely

Updated: December 2, 2025

When your garbage disposal is clogged in the middle of meal prep, everything in the kitchen grinds to a halt. Water sits, dishes pile up, and that grinding switch you’re used to relying on suddenly isn’t helping. Take a breath — most clogs are fixable with a few careful steps. Below, we’ll walk you through what causes a blocked garbage disposal, simple ways to clear a minor blockage, and how to spot the signs that it’s time to schedule service. Since 1999, Done Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric has helped Denver- and Aurora-area homeowners handle disposal problems quickly and safely, with upfront pricing and same-day solutions.

Recognize the Signs of a Clogged Disposal

Most disposal issues come down to what goes in, how fast it goes in, and how much water is running. With a few habits, you can prevent a clogged disposal and keep your sink draining smoothly.

Common causes of a blocked garbage disposal include:

• Stringy, fibrous scraps such as celery, corn husks, and onion skins that wrap around moving parts.
• Starches — pasta, rice, and potatoes — that swell and turn gummy in the drain line.
• Coffee grounds and eggshells that settle and compact, creating a dense plug.
• Grease and fat that cool, harden, and coat pipe walls.
• Large food chunks or too much food at once, overwhelming the grinding chamber.
• Not enough water to carry particles through the trap and into the main line.

How to tell if your garbage disposal is clogged:

• Standing water that won’t drain or drains very slowly.
• A steady hum but no grinding — a classic sign of a garbage disposal jammed at the impeller.
• Bubbling or gurgling when the unit runs.
• Persistent smells even after cleaning.
• A tripped reset button or breaker after an overload.

Minor versus major blockages:

• Minor clogs sit near the grinding chamber or the P-trap and often clear with careful manual rotation or a trap clean-out.
• Major clogs form deeper in the line, cause water to back up into other fixtures, or return repeatedly. These are best handled by a professional to avoid damage.

Tools to Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

A little preparation goes a long way. Gather a few basics so you can work safely, protect your sink cabinet, and avoid damaging the unit.

Helpful tools:

• Hex (Allen) wrench — typically 1/4-inch — for turning the disposal from the bottom.
• Long-handled tongs or needle-nose pliers to remove lodged scraps.
• Bucket and towels to catch water when you open the trap.
• Flashlight for a clear look into the chamber and under-sink fittings.
• Adjustable wrench to loosen slip nuts on the P-trap.
• Dish soap and hot water for a final flush.

Safety first:

• Cut-resistant gloves to protect your hands.
• Safety glasses in case of splashes or debris.
• A non-slip mat or kneepads for steady footing under the sink.

Set up your workspace:

• Turn off power at the switch, then unplug the disposal or shut off the breaker.
• Clear the cabinet and set a bucket under the P-trap.
• Remove standing water from the sink with a cup or small container.
• Keep kids and pets away until you’re finished.

Step-by-step: How to Clear a Clogged Disposal

If the clog appears to be near the disposal and you’re not seeing signs of a deeper blockage (like multiple slow drains or backups), you can try these standard troubleshooting steps. If you’d rather skip the DIY or nothing improves, Done can be there the same day.

1. Turn off power completely

Switch the disposal off, unplug it from the outlet under the sink, or shut off the breaker.
Never work on a disposal with power connected.

2. Look inside the chamber (without reaching in)

Use a flashlight to check for visible obstructions.
Do not put your hand inside the disposal.
Use tongs or pliers to remove anything you can safely reach.

3. Free a jammed impeller (if your disposal has a hex port)

Most garbage disposals have a ¼-inch hex (Allen) port on the bottom of the unit.
Insert the wrench and turn it back and forth gently to loosen the jam.
If your disposal does not have a hex port, skip this step.

4. Press the reset button and test the unit

Locate the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal and press it.
Turn on cold water, then briefly switch the disposal on to check if it runs normally.

5. If water still won’t drain, open the P-trap

Place a bucket underneath the trap.
Loosen the slip nuts and remove the P-trap.
Clear out any debris inside, rinse it, and reassemble the pieces securely.

6. Flush the line thoroughly

Run cold water for 20–30 seconds while operating the disposal.
This helps move small leftover particles through the drain line.

Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals to Unclog the Disposal

It’s tempting to reach for a liquid clog remover when you’re staring at a blocked garbage disposal. We don’t recommend it. Chemical drain cleaners can damage seals, corrode metal parts, and push fats farther down the pipe, turning a simple clog into a tougher one. If your garbage disposal is clogged or your garbage disposal is jammed, mechanical clearing and proper flushing are safer and more effective.

Prevent Your Garbage Disposal From Clogging

A few easy routines will help you avoid another clogged garbage disposal and extend the life of your unit.

Maintenance tips:

• Run cold water before, during, and for 20–30 seconds after using the disposal.
• Feed scraps slowly — don’t dump a full cutting board all at once.
• Do a weekly dish-soap flush; an occasional ice-and-rock-salt cycle can scour soft buildup.
• Use citrus peels sparingly for odour control, then flush well.
• Inspect the splash guard; replace it if it’s cracked or worn.

Best practices:

• Cut big scraps into smaller pieces so the grinder can keep up.
• Keep hard objects and utensils out — disposals are for food scraps only.
• Avoid overloading; let the unit clear before adding more.
• Use the reset button only after you’ve cleared a clog — repeated resets won’t fix a blocked garbage disposal.

Foods to avoid in putting down the disposal:

• Stringy items: celery, artichokes, corn husks, asparagus.
• Starches: potatoes, pasta, and rice that expand and gum up.
• Fats and oils: bacon grease, butter, and drippings that harden in pipes.
• Hard materials: bones, fruit pits, and shells that can damage the unit.
• Particle-heavy items: coffee grounds and cocoa powder that compact in the line.

Homeowners Choose Done for Garbage Disposal Repair

When you’re dealing with a garbage disposal clogged, you want it fixed fast and fixed right. Since 1999, Done has been the trusted, local team homeowners rely on for plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical work. Here’s what you can expect when you schedule service with us:

• Same-day help: We move quickly so your kitchen gets back to normal fast — whether it’s a clogged disposal or a deeper drain issue.
• Upfront pricing: Clear, fair estimates before work begins. No surprises.
• Licensed pros: Skilled plumbers who protect your home, explain options in plain language, and do the job properly the first time.
• Full-service support: From a blocked garbage disposal to line cleaning, leak repairs, or new disposal installation — one call handles it all.
• Respect for your home: Shoe covers, floor protection, and thorough clean-up, every visit.

If your garbage disposal is clogged or your garbage disposal is jammed and you’d rather not risk a DIY fix, we’re ready to help today. One call, and it’s Done.