How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Garbage Disposal

Step 2:

If the clog is in the garbage disposal unit, especially the blade area and won’t go away with the baking soda-vinegar combo, roll up your sleeves, put your gloves on and remove the clog yourself.

• Begin by unplugging the garbage disposal from the electrical outlet.
• Get a flashflight and shine it into the clogged drain sink.
• Look for any foreign objects that may have caused the blockage, such as a meat bone, a toy, a plastic, or pulverized banana peel. Sometimes, you’ll be surprised to see stuff in there that shouldn’t be, such as toys and baby spoons.
• Pull the object from the drain using needle-nose pliers or a pair of tongs. You can also large tweezers and even your hand – just make sure the unit is unplugged! Carefully reach inside and pull out whatever that shouldn’t be in there.

Turn on the garbage disposal and run it for a few seconds to check if the drain runs clear. If it is still clogged, the problem could in the dishwater drain pipe that connects to the garbage disposal.

Step 3:

You will know that the clog is in the drain pipe if the water won’t drain out of the sink even when the garbage disposal blades run perfectly. This situation calls for a plunger.

• Begin by clamping the end of the dishwater drain line where it enters the garbage disposal (particularly the disposal nozzle). This is to prevent the drain hose of the dishwater from popping off the disposal nozzle when you plunge the sink drain later.
• Place the plunger over the sink drain, making sure that it completely covers the drain basket. Run the faucet to cover the plunger with at least 1/2 inch of water. Push and pull the plunger vigorously for 6-8 times. Lift the plunger and check to see if the drain is clear. Repeat the steps until the clog is removed.
• Pour a pot of hot water down the drain to clear any residue.