When using my kitchen sink it fills up with water and I have to run my garbage disposal to get the water to drain. Even then it doesn't drain all the way out. Can anyone tell me what's going on and how do I fix this problem?
By mytroubleswontgodownthedrain from Washington, DC
(Submitted by email)
I just tried some advice I found on this site for unclogging a garbage disposal. The advice was to pour vinegar and boiling water along with baking soda. I just wanted whomever posted that advice to know it worked like a charm and that I no longer have an issue. Your information saved me from having to call a plumber. Thank you so much for posting this information.
Derrick D.
My garbage disposal is clogged after putting down a handful of frozen turkey. It spins, but will not drain. Where is the clog and how do I unstop it?
By Alice from Glen Allen, VA
I made a bonehead move and made a lazy/horrible decision to put sweet potato peels in my garbage disposal......CLOG! I found this forum and used the vinegar, baking soda, boiling water, and plunger solution on here and it worked!! No need to call a plumber and spend $200 or more dollars on it. Before you call a plumber, try this first. It worked for me and was easy. I recommend putting water in the non-clogged side and use a stopper in it while you plunge the clogged side. You can hear the "swoosh" sound of the drain flow once you've plunged enough.
My waste disposal is jammed. The blades are going around because the water is spinning, but it won't drain. Any ideas?
By Rebecca from TX
Great advice with the vinegar and baking soda! Cleared potato skin clog that my wife gave up on before I got home. Even Liquid Plummer wouldn't touch it! I went online read this post and, Boom! It's outta' here! :) Many thanks to the author. You've made me the hero, yet again.
My disposal still runs, but water won't go down drain.
By Pam
The clogged drain sounds like the problem ... using the plunger may open it up. Then boil a huge pot of water, pour about 1 cup baking soda in the disposal and then 1 cup vinegar. Let that sit about 15-20 minutes then pour the boiling water down the drain. Be sure you know what you can and cannot put in a disposal. Good luck!
Like a dummy, I put tangerine skins with seeds into my garbage disposal. I turned it on and the light over my sink died as well as the disposal power. I turned the power off and let the water drain from both sinks. Then I used rubber gloves and cleaned all the mess. I used a flashlight and it looked quite clean.
I turned the power back on, pushed restart button, but the blades did not turn, only humming. Will baking soda, white vinegar and hot water help? I am a woman and do not know what else to do except call a plumber. By the way, I can turn one of the blades manually with my finger, it seems quite loose. Many thanks for any suggestions.
By A B
Just had the same problem and after paying an electrician. I'm replacing the disposal, so sorry for you and me.
My wife put carrots and potato peels in the disposal and it is just a plugged up mess. It spins, but will not not drain. Any suggestions before I call the plumber? The disposal sits in the middle of the sink; it's not a divided sink.
By Scott
Try pouring in a 1/2 cup baking soda followed by a cup or two of white vinegar. Run the disposal. If that doesn't loosen try a second cup of baking soda followed by pouring another 2-3 cups of vinegar from the gallon bottle, With the disposal and water running as well. Follow with a pan of boiling water.
Then run cold water from the tap.Hope this works for you. It does at our house. And then run a weekly 1/2 cup baking soda and cup of vinegar down all drains in the house. Always follow with cold water to flush through. GG Vi
Paint poured down my disposal. Will baking soda and vinegar clear it?
By Russ J. from Ft. Collins, CO
My brand new KitchenAid dishwasher doesn't drain completely. There are about 3-5 cups of soapy, dirty looking water standing in the bottom of the dishwasher after every load. This is the 3rd dishwasher we have had in this same spot in the kitchen and we have never had this problem before. We cleaned our disposal and used vinegar and baking soda to get the disposal and drain to run freely, but the problem remains. Any suggestions?
By Mary G
OH MY WORD!!!! Never having an issue with our industrial garbage disposal put 2 artichokes that were unraveled and fully cooked down there and turned it on. Not thinking anything of it it clogged I thought I had brokem it but when i realized the disposal worked and it was just clogged i had no idea what to do. I was going to call a professional in 2 days then thought "Hey i am going to look online and see if i can do it" so i clicked on this website and read the posts on the vinegar and baking soda and boiling hot water. so i figured what do i have to loose but an already clogged disposal. after I plunged it to clear the water out GUESS WHAT? Its un clogged. thank you so much now i dont have to call a professional so stoked :) thank you guys for posting that!
How do I fix a garbage disposal? It is stuffed up and won't drain.
Laura from San Diego, CA
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By Scott
Usually, after manually fishing out any pulped material and checking for any stray metal items (I've lost about a dozen measuring spoons that way), mine will clear itself up fine. If it's still stubborn I put the stopper in and half fill the sink with detergent water. Then I turn the unit on and pull out the stopper. Guuuuuuush, and it flushes itself out. (03/19/2009)
By Red Neck
How do you unclog a garbage disposal?
By Sylviaelaine from Denison, TX
My co-worker lent me a long socket wrench with the correct size socket. I locked onto the bolt inside the disposal between the blades, was able to wiggle it, then turn in a clockwise direction. The water in the sink drained, and I felt inside the disposal for any dislodged items, nothing. I turned on the disposal, it ran perfectly, and I could hear small rocks that sounded blue and green ricochet deep inside the disposal until they fell through. Although I won't have to replace the garbage disposal, I may need to replace the roommate. (09/12/2009)
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My garbage disposal is clogged. What should I do?
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By foxrun41
Oops, forgot to answer your question. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain; then pour 3/4 cup of vinegar (clear one). Let it remain for about 30 minutes, then pour 1-2 qts. of very hot water. This should eliminate the stubborn drain. (12/02/2009)
By Cajun62234
My garbage disposal will not drain. I tried the vinegar/baking soda/boiling water thing, as well as the plunger. T
My garbage disposer drain won't drain. The disposer motor comes on and spins the water around and I see a flow of water coming out from the left side of the drain under the drain guard.