Disposal runs but water backs up into the sink or drains very slowly; grinding seems normal but sink does not clear.

Safety First: Turn OFF the disposal and circuit breaker before disassembling any plumbing. Do not use chemical drain cleaners in or around the disposal.

• Step 1 – Run water and test: With the disposal OFF, run hot water for several minutes to see if the backup slowly clears. If not, proceed.
• Step 2 – Inspect the discharge elbow: Place a bucket under the disposal discharge. Loosen the slip nuts on the discharge elbow and remove it. Clear any packed food or debris from the outlet and elbow.
• Step 3 – Clean the P-trap: Remove the P-trap and clean out sludge or food buildup. Use a bottle brush or flexible brush to clean the trap and adjacent pipe sections.
• Step 4 – Check further down the line: If the trap is clear, the blockage may be in the wall branch. Use a small drain snake from the trap connection into the wall pipe.
• Step 5 – Reassemble and test: Reinstall the trap and elbow, tighten all slip nuts, run water, and test the disposal. Check for leaks at all joints.