What the hum is telling you
Inside the disposal, a motor turns a round plate called the flywheel or turntable. Two swinging lugs on that plate push food against a fixed grinding ring. When something hard gets wedged between a lug and the ring, the motor gets power from the switch but cannot turn, and you hear a steady electrical hum instead of the usual whirr.
That hum is a warning, not a nuisance. A stalled motor draws more current and heats up fast. Leave the switch on and the built-in overload will eventually trip, or the breaker will, and repeated stalls can shorten the motor's life. The first move is always the same: switch it off.
Freeing a jammed disposal
These steps cover a simple jam. If any step does not go as described, stop and call a licensed plumber.
Cut the power
Switch off, then unplug or turn off the breaker so the unit cannot start while you work.
Look, then lift out
Shine a flashlight into the drain opening. Pull out fruit pits, bottle caps, bones or utensils with tongs or long pliers.
Turn the flywheel from below
Most units have a hex socket in the center of the bottom. Insert a 1/4-inch hex key and work it back and forth until it turns a full circle freely.
Press the reset
Find the small red or black button on the bottom of the housing and press it until it clicks. If it will not stay in, the motor may need a few minutes to cool.
Test once with water
Restore power, run cold water, and flip the switch. If it spins and grinds normally, you are done. If it hums again, switch it off and leave it off.
Common jam culprits
| Item | Why it jams | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit pits and bones | Too hard to grind; they wedge against the ring | Remove with tongs, free the flywheel |
| Bottle caps, twist ties, coins | Metal and plastic do not break down | Remove; check for damage to the lugs |
| Fibrous peels and stalks | Strings wrap around the turntable | Remove what you can reach; run water |
| Silverware or glass | Can bend lugs or chip the ring | Remove carefully; call if the unit rattles afterward |
Keep going or call a plumber?
- IfThe hex key turns freely and the unit now spinsYou cleared the jam. Run plenty of cold water for the next few uses.
- IfThe hex key will not move at all, even with firm pressureThe jam may be deep or the motor bearings seized. Stop and call a licensed plumber.
- IfIt spins but now leaks or rattlesThe jam may have loosened the mount or damaged parts. Leave it off and have it inspected.
- IfIt hums again within a day or twoSomething is still in the chamber or the motor is failing. Ask about repair versus replacement.
What drives the cost if you call
A jam cleared on the first visit is usually the smallest disposal job. The bill grows when the jam has damaged the lugs or grinding ring, when the motor will not run after the jam is cleared, or when the unit has to come off the sink to get at the problem. Age matters too: an older unit with a worn motor may not be worth repairing. Ask how the visit is priced and get any repair price in writing before work starts.
Questions to ask a plumber
- Did you find what caused the jam, and could it happen again?
- Is the motor still healthy, or did the stall damage it?
- Are the grinding lugs and ring in good shape?
- Is this unit worth keeping, given its age?
- What is your license number so I can check it at cslb.ca.gov?
Common questions
Can I use a broom handle to free a jammed disposal?
A hex key in the socket underneath is safer and gives more leverage. Pushing a handle into the chamber risks damaging parts, and the power must be off either way.
My disposal has no hex socket on the bottom. What now?
Some units do not have one. In that case remove what you can see with tongs, press the reset, and call a licensed plumber if it still hums.
How long should I wait before pressing reset?
If the button will not stay in, give the motor several minutes to cool, then try again with the switch off.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.