By MyPros Staff

There's a terrible smell in your kitchen.  You've checked the garbage—not coming from there.  You come closer to the sink, closer…that's the smell.  It's coming from the garbage disposal, which will no longer turn on.  You need…garbage disposal repair.  Portland's creative food composting program may be a better option for you until you can get the disposal repaired.  

Okay, the first thing you need to know is that there is NEVER a situation with your garbage disposal where the best way to solve it is by putting your hand down inside the disposal and rooting around.  It may seem like it.  You must resist.  Putting your hand inside the disposal is the surest way to end up at the hospital anyone has invented yet, so please don't do it.  

Now, to contradict what was said up there…if a spoon or other object has fallen into the disposal, the following steps should be followed to safely retrieve it.  

1.    Turn the power off to the disposal.
2.    Unplug it, if possible.
3.    Use a stick or other object to determine where the object is.
4.    With your hand, quickly reach in and grab the spoon, then get out of there.
5.    Plug it back in and turn the power on again.

Many times this will solve what seems to be a broken garbage disposal.  On the other hand, if you've looked inside nicely and nothing seems to be lodged down there, it is time to schedule garbage disposal repair.  Portland's online resources will help you locate a well-qualified technician, and often times the scheduling can be handled quickly online as well.