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Locate and Understand the Reset Button — Reset Disposal and Test

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Unclog a Double Kitchen Sink with a Garbage Disposal · Step 4 of 7

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In this video

Look underneath the garbage disposal unit to find a small, typically red, button. This is the reset button, which functions as a circuit breaker. When the disposal motor jams, it can overheat, causing this button to trip and pop out to prevent the motor from burning out. You must wait for the motor to cool down (typically 30-60 seconds) before you can successfully press this button back in to reset the unit.

Goal: Identify the reset button and its function

  • If the disposal motor overheats, you will often hear a 'click' sound when the reset button's internal breaker trips.
  • The reset button will not stay depressed if the motor is still too hot. Allow it more time to cool before trying again.

Used in this video

  • Flashlight (Tool Type: Flashlight, Power Source: Battery) · optional — To better see the components on the bottom of the garbage disposal.
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FAQs

Why is disconnecting power to the garbage disposal the first step, and how do I do it safely?

Disconnecting power is crucial to prevent accidental activation and serious injury while working inside or near the disposal blades. Locate your home's main electrical panel and switch off the circuit breaker labeled for the kitchen or disposal. If the circuit isn't clearly marked, you can unplug the unit directly from the wall outlet if it's accessible under the sink.

What if the garbage disposal hums but doesn't spin, and what's the first thing I should check?

A humming disposal indicates power but a jam, likely from a hard object lodged between the impellers and the grinding plate. After ensuring the power is OFF, visually inspect the disposal chamber with a flashlight for foreign objects. Then, use an Allen wrench in the hexagonal hole at the bottom center of the disposal to manually turn the motor shaft and free the impellers.

Do I really need all the specialized tools listed, like the Channellock pliers or socket wrench set, for this project?

While a sturdy plunger is essential, tools like Channellock pliers are highly recommended for securely gripping and loosening slip nuts on the P-trap without damaging them. A socket wrench set can be useful for more stubborn connections, especially on metal P-traps, making the job much easier and preventing stripped parts. Having the right tools minimizes frustration and potential damage.

How do I effectively plunge a double kitchen sink when one side is clogged and the other is clear?

To effectively plunge a double sink, you must create a seal on the non-clogged basin to prevent water and pressure from escaping. Use a stopper, a wet rag, or even a helper to hold down a stopper firmly in the non-clogged side. This directs all the plunging pressure towards the blockage in the clogged basin.

Transcript
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here we are underneath the kitchen sink you can see the garbage disposal here and so we'll get take a look underneath it and you'll see the cord goes in to it and one thing I want to point out I'm going to use this little allen wrench tool here to point this out right here and on the bottom of the garbage disposal there's a reset button it's a little red button use your finger and push that in if when the garbage disposal jams up you'll leave a switch on too long you'll hear a click and it'll it's a protection inside the motor that shuts the motor down there's a little circuit breaker built inside the unit and that protects the motor from burning out so after that click goes the motor will cool down generally about 30 seconds to one minute you'll hear another click sometimes you don't hear the click then come and push this in if you push it in now nothing will happen you won't hear anything but when it kicks out it's kind of like a circuit breaker it'll pop out a little bit and then you push it in it'll click and you'll reset that circuit breaker and then you can use your switch to turn it out again so that's just a little reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal so if you're jammed you take

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