Garbage Disposal Freezes Up
Garbage Disposal Freezes Up | This is a standard garbage disposal. It can FREEZE UP and not work if you don’t use it correctly. This column was SO GOOD that I shared with the 31,000 subscribers who read my March 31, 2020 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.(C) Copyright 2020 Tim Carter
Garbage Disposal Freezes Up - Super Simple Fix
Ann lives in Greensboro, North Carolina and her garbage disposal freezes up. Here's what she wrote to me:
"Tim, I live in a 14-year-old townhouse with almost all original equipment. The garbage disposal keeps rusting and freezing up because I don't need to use it often. I've paid a plumber to come and free it up twice. So far have not had to replace it. What would you suggest I do to keep this from happening?"
CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local plumbers like Ann used to help her.
Why Does the Disposal Freeze Up?
Ann probably has a builder-grade disposal in her townhome. These often have cheap parts and the corrosion-resistance is low-quality. The moving parts start to rust and lock together. Bones, celery fibers, and other food items can also cause a disposal to freeze up and not operate. In these cases, use the hex-head wrench and turn the axle of the disposal to clear the jam.
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How Can I Prevent the Freeze-Up?
It's easy to prevent the freeze-up. Just turn on the disposal twice a week and allow it to run for ten seconds. Be sure water is running while you have it on.
What High-Quality Disposal Would You Install, Tim?
I'd install an expensive Insinkerator garbage disposal. These machines have better parts and I've never had one freeze up on me. Here's a modern one that works well:
This is a great garbage disposal. CLICK or TAP HERE or the photo to have it delivered to your home by a magic courier.
CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local plumbers like Ann used to help her.
Appreciate your emails. Lots of great info. Keep them coming.
I had a disposal totally freeze up. I bent the wrench trying to move it and eventually replaced it. As you noted, you have to run it periodically, at least once per month. We did not and paid the price.
there is a large hex head at the bottom of my garbage disposal(stainless)..when the disposal freezes up, i put a socket(long shaft) onto it and twist back and forth...always works for me..
Garbage disposal motorvhums but doesn't move. I found the reset button nut no hex head slot.
My son bought a house that has a garbage disposal that freezes up all the time. I understand that it is not hard to use the wrench to free it up, unless you have a spinal injury like I do. But is there a lubricant that we can use to reduce how often.
what to do when on vacation and it seizes after a few days of non-use?