[sillyboy22]

I just finished a remodel of my basement and in the process, I managed to put all kinds of stuff down my sink that shouldn't have been put down there, including drywall compound, grout, paint, you name it. Yes, I know, this was dumb.

Needless to say, my garbage disposal is pretty badly gunked up, but I'd like to try to salvage it if I can. The only way I'm going to be able to save it is to take it apart and clean all the parts individually. It's way too bad for normal fixes.

I've removed it from the sink and taken out the 4 long screws on the sides, but I can't see any way open it up and take out the flywheel. Any ideas? It's an Insinkerator Badger 5.

Thanks!

--Chris

 

[Alan]

You put GROUT down it?

After you fix your garbage disposal, you may have problems with your drain as well. :whistling2: Grout is horrible down drains.

 

[Thurman]

I can't help with taking apart the disposer--BUT, as far as the drain line goes--Don't laugh until you finish reading this: Put chunky dog food in the drain line. In the Environmental classes I had to take for a State License we had an instructor who showed us how putting chunky dog food into a drain line, the larger the chunks the better, and then using some type of pressure to shoot this through the line works great. He used one of the expanding bladder type drain un-cloggers (is that a word?). He had a set up with clear plastic piping such as a drain line with many turns and P-traps. With normal household water pressure from a garden hose and the dog food, he removed some really nasty drain clogs he made. He also stated that all dog food has enzymes which are not dead from processing and are good for septic systems. Maybe all you needed to do to the disposer was to run a lot of ice through it to clean the blades and cutting rings. I actually run the dog food through my disposer about once every 3-4 months then fill both sinks with cold water and release them at the same time. Works good so far. David

 

[Leah Frances]

David - you talking moist or dry dog food?

 

[sillyboy22]

Thanks. I've actually already dealt with the drain line, which came through the ordeal relatively unscathed. The disposal is another matter, however. If anyone knows how to take it apart, I'd love some advice. Thanks!

--Chris

 

[Alan]

I've never taken one apart. They're only like 100 bucks, so it's cheaper to just replace the darn thing. If I had a busted one sitting in front of me with nothing else to do i'd probably see what pieces did come apart. There really isn't much to them....