How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal with Standing Water

Co-authored by Jacob Pischer

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

When your sink is filled with water and your garbage disposal is malfunctioning, you may want to immediately call the plumber. But fortunately there are a number of steps you can take to tackle the clog on your own. To figure out the best course of action, flip the switch and listen to the sound the garbage disposal makes. If you hear whirring like something is caught, then you should try to unclog the drain. If you flip the switch and nothing happens, try resetting the unit to see if that drains the water. Just make sure the power source to the garbage disposal is off before you stick anything down the drain!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Unclogging the Drain

1
Turn off the power source to your garbage disposal. This is the most important step of the process, as the failure to turn it off could result in serious injury. Never stick your hand into the garbage disposal.
- If your garbage disposal is plugged in underneath your sink, you can turn it off by unplugging it from the wall.
- If you don't see where it's plugged in, you may have to turn the power off to the garbage disposal on your breaker panel. ^{[1]
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2
Use a plunger to remove the water from the sink. Cover the entire drain with the plunger and give it a few pulls. Remove it and see if any of the water and clogged items begin to drain. ^{[2]
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3
Use pliers to remove clogged items. Insert the pliers into the drain to pull out whatever might be clogging it. A utensil like tongs would work as well.^{[3]
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- If the water begins to drain as you're pulling materials out, this was likely the cause of the clog.
- You might want to wear rubber gloves during this step, depending on how high the standing water is.
4
Plug your garbage disposal back in. This will ensure that the clogged item was the source of the problem. Once it is plugged in, run the faucet and then turn the garbage disposal back on for several seconds.
- If the garbage disposal makes the sound that it normally does and water does not collect in the sink, then you have fixed the problem. ^{[4]
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- If the sink fills with water again, you may have clogged grinding mechanisms in your garbage disposal or a clogged drain.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Resetting the Garbage Disposal

1
Press the reset button on the garbage disposal. Check the bottom and the sides of your garbage disposal for a button, it is likely red but could be another color. ^{[5]
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Expert Source

Jacob Pischer
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 4 September 2020.}
- After you've done this, flip the switch to your garbage disposal to see if the water drains. It it does, then your problem is solved!
2
Check the power source to the garbage disposal. If it is plugged into an outlet below your sink, make sure it hasn't fallen out or come loose. If you don't see an outlet, find the switch for the garbage disposal on your breaker box and flip it off and on again.^{[8]
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- Once the power is reconnected turn the garbage disposal on to see if the water drains. If it does, then you have solved the problem.
3
Turn off the power source to your garbage disposal. If a dysfunctional power source is not the source of the problems, then you will need to turn off the power source to fix it.
- If the garbage disposal is plugged into a wall underneath your sink, unplug it.
- If you do not see a plug to your garbage disposal, go to your breaker box to turn off the power source. ^{[9]
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4
Use a hex-head key or allen wrench to unclog the grinding plates.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Jacob Pischer
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 4 September 2020.} If you have something stuck in the plates in your garbage disposal unit, you will need to dislodge it. Insert the wrench or key into the hexagon shaped hole on the underside of your garbage disposal and twist it back and forth several times with a bit of force. ^{[11]
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- After this step is done, reconnect your garbage disposal to the power source and turn on the switch. If the water drains, then you've solved the problem!
5
Use a wooden spoon to dislodge the item. If you don't have an allen wrench or hex key, you can use a wooden spoon or a broom handle to free any trapped materials from the grinding arms. While the power source to the garbage disposal is off, place the utensil into the drain and push it back and forth against the grinding mechanism in the drain. ^{[12]
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- Once you have completed this step, reconnect the power source and flip the on switch to the garbage disposal. If the water drains then your problem is solved!
- If none of these solutions work, it is likely that the problem is with clogged drain pipes. You might want to take steps to unclog your drain to fix the problem from here.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I fix a garbage disposal that doesn't drain?

Jacob Pischer
Home Improvement Specialist
Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. With over four years of experience, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment.

Jacob Pischer

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

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Try pressing the reset button on the bottom of the unit before turning it back on.