Here’s the thing, if you notice that your disposal unit is running slow, or worse not running at all, then the problem must be in your drain.

Check if you’re guilty of doing the following:

  • Grinding egg shells
  • Grinding potato peels
  • Not enough water used to flush down the ground materials
  • Grinding fibrous food wastes like banana peels and corn husks

You are?

Then no wonder why your drain has clogged. But for us to be sure that it is indeed your drain that’s having a problem, we need to see it clear.

Below are the steps on how we should go about solving the issue of a clogged drain:

  • Check the type of your sink drain. Is it plastic or brass? Technically, plastic sink drain is easier to work with because brass or metal chrome has the tendency to corrode.
  • Now turn off your garbage disposal unit. We don’t want any injuries so we have to make sure that the device will not turn on while your hands are on it.
  • Using pliers, loosen the nuts on the tailpiece for the disposal.
  • If the tailpiece is attached to the disposal via screws, loosen it. (Note: Place a pail or a basin under the drain to catch water spillover)
  • Loosen the fitting and let the water drain out.
  • After draining out, remove the tail piece and the pipe. You should be able to see the clog (if any).
  • If you find the clog, secure a stick and remove it.
  • After removing the clog, you may go ahead and reattach the parts of the drain. Make sure to tighten the screws. We don’t have to have problems with the leakage from here.
  • Turn on the disposal unit and run the faucet.
  • If the water runs down, then you’re good to go.

So there you have it – your step by step guide to fixing a clogged drain.

If however the drain still wouldn’t work after performing this entire task, then I suggest you call a plumber to check what’s wrong. If not the drain, then something must be wrong inside the disposal unit.

Nevertheless, if you removed the clog and followed the steps then it should work.

Important thing:

Drains will not clog unless you put something into it that could block the flow of water. The abovementioned particles should never be flushed down the unit to ensure that the drain’s kept safe.

Also, it’s important that you clean your disposal unit at a regular basis. Minimal clogs on the drain can still be flushed down if constant clean, cold water is poured down on it.

Do you have any experience in a clogged drain? How did you fix it? What is the cause of the clog?

Share to us your experience and best practices! Somebody somewhere might be experiencing the same problem as you did!