How to Stop a Disposal From Backing Up Into the Other Sink

Owning a home has its challenging moments, such as when a previously functional disposal starts backing up into the other sink. This can be a messy, smelly event that you'll want to remedy as quickly as possibly. Typically, such backups are caused by a clogged drain from the disposal; pieces of food and other debris build up until they block the drainpipe completely, causing water to back up through the shared drainpipe to the other sink. Luckily, it's usually pretty easy to unclog a garbage disposal and drain without calling a plumber.

Plunger
Bucket
Gloves
Plumbing snake
Rags or old towels

Instructions

- 1
  Dip out some of the standing water. Leave 4 inches of water in the sink.
- 2
  Plug the drain over the disposal. Create a vacuum by centering the plunger over the drain in the other sink and pushing down firmly. Push up and down rapidly on the plunger. You should feel the suction. Pull the plunger off the drain. Run the disposal. If the water flows out, you have fixed the problem.
- 3
  Plunge again, alternating between the garbage disposal side and the other side of the sink. Plug the drain on the side you are not plunging. Pour hot, but not boiling, water into the drain and repeat plunging until the water flows out.
- 4
  Open the cabinet and look at the drainpipes. If they are white PVC, try to loosen the slip nut. If you can unscrew it, place a bucket under the U-shaped pipe to catch the water. After removing the pipe, look for a blockage in the U. Clean it out and replace.
- 5
  Insert the plumbing snake in the drainpipe. Push it in little by little by turning the crank clockwise, until the snake is entirely in the pipe. Continue to push it in and crank until you clear the blockage.

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