I had to call the plumber again today. And only now in retrospect am I
piecing together what may have happened.

Was cooking or baking something the other day. Can't remember which.
Needed my nail brush. The one that I keep in a little plastic basket behind
the sink is a clear, hard plastic in a kidney bean shape. Hmmmm... It
wasn't there. I picked the basket up to look. A piece of plastic broke off
of the basket when I picked it up but... The basket is old. Nope. Brush
wasn't in there but there was a cheap one that I had put in the Christmas
surprise ball one year. I could picture a broken nail brush in my mind. A
clear one in a kidney bean shape. But I had thought that one had been in
the bathroom. I just sort of shrugged and dismissed it, thinking that I had
remembered it wrong.

Also, I picked Jetta out of the sink the other day. Jetta is our kitten.
None of our cats have ever gotten *in* the sink before but some have stood
beside it. I do not allow cats on the counter but she has only just now
discovered that she can get up there and behind the sink where the garden
window is. Our former kitten, Bali, loved to get in that same spot too.
Now, I can't remember where this was in terms of her being in the sink and
the nail brush being gone.

Fast forward to dinner yesterday. Husband usually comes home quite late on
Fridays. I had some fish in the fridge for him and was making daughter's
dinner which was some Chik'n (soy and wheat based faux chicken), mashed
potatoes, gravy and wax beans. Husband came in just as I was about to fix
stuff. I put his fish in the oven. Finished the rest of the stuff, served
them, then got the cats some canned food.

Noticed later that daughter hadn't quite finished her food. Now I know that
I am supposed to put food in a Biobag and dispose of it but there was gravy
and some mashed potatoes. Stuff like that doesn't do well in a Biobag. Wet
stuff makes the bag begin to break down. So I flushed it down the sink,
turned the garbage disposal on, then headed towards the stove to get the pan
from the fish and the Chik'n. That's when I heard the horrible noise.
Dang! Why did I leave the sink? But the damage had been done.

I then did what you're not supposed to do and reached into the disposal.
And what was in there? Yep! The missing nail brush!

The plumber surmised that it may in fact have fallen in there days ago but
landed in such a spot that it didn't come in direct contact with the
disposal until just then. I don't normally use the disposal for human food
unless it is just small amounts rinsed from a pan or something. But I do
use it daily to rinse off the cat dishes from the soft food. So I do turn
it on several times a day.

Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal. I
only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large chunk. He
got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a flashlight to get
the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and causing the
unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200 less in my
wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent more!
And I got my dinner late to boot.

I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll take
me up on that.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...

> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large chunk.
> He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a flashlight to
> get the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and causing
> the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200 less in
> my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent
> more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>
> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll take
> me up on that.

I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
so hopefully no more for awhile.

Cheri

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
>> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>> chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>> flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little
>> more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to
>> save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>>
>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>> take me up on that.
>
> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
> new sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
> of the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
> years, so hopefully no more for awhile.

I had mine take out for the same reason.


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
>>> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>>> chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>>> flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a
>>> little
>>> more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying
>>> to
>>> save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>>>
>>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>>> take me up on that.
>>
>> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>> new sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are
>> one
>> of the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>> years, so hopefully no more for awhile.
>
> I had mine take out for the same reason.

The plumber told me a lot of people are having them taken out. I was
thinking it might be because the water metering is starting, and they do use
a fair amount of water daily, but I really don't know for sure.

Cheri

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...

> The plumber told me a lot of people are having them taken out. I was
> thinking it might be because the water metering is starting, and they do
> use a fair amount of water daily, but I really don't know for sure.

We are not supposed to use them here. They say they cause pollution.

On Saturday, October 12, 2013 8:11:23 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> >
>
> > "Cheri" > wrote in message
>
> > ...
>
> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>
> >> ...
>
> >>
>
> >>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
>
> >>> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>
> >>> chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>
> >>> flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>
> >>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a
>
> >>> little
>
> >>> more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying
>
> >>> to
>
> >>> save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>
> >>>
>
> >>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>
> >>> take me up on that.
>
> >>
>
> >> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>
> >> new sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are
>
> >> one
>
> >> of the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>
> >> years, so hopefully no more for awhile.
>
> >
>
> > I had mine take out for the same reason.
>
>
>
> The plumber told me a lot of people are having them taken out. I was
>
> thinking it might be because the water metering is starting, and they do use
>
> a fair amount of water daily, but I really don't know for sure.
>
>

I had mine take a powder after it refused to drain. While here, the plumber also discovered that some kid had jammed 3 Popsicle sticks into the main drain pipe and that was prob. abetting the backup, but he'd cut the g.d. GD loose by then and that was that. Anyhow, the darn thing is gone and I don't miss the noise, plus I never felt I could get the thing very clean. I'd rather add the food scraps to my comp heap. The collective 'we' dump too much s--t into our sewer system as it is.

I guess you've read about those bathroom wipes?

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
On Saturday, October 12, 2013 8:11:23 PM UTC-4, Cheri wrote:
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> >
>
> > "Cheri" > wrote in message
>
> > ...
>
> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>
> >> ...
>
> >>
>
> >>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the
> >>> disposal.
>
> >>> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>
> >>> chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>
> >>> flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>
> >>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a
>
> >>> little
>
> >>> more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying
>
> >>> to
>
> >>> save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>
> >>>
>
> >>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>
> >>> take me up on that.
>
> >>
>
> >> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed
> >> and
>
> >> new sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are
>
> >> one
>
> >> of the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>
> >> years, so hopefully no more for awhile.
>
> >
>
> > I had mine take out for the same reason.
>
>
>
> The plumber told me a lot of people are having them taken out. I was
>
> thinking it might be because the water metering is starting, and they do
> use
>
> a fair amount of water daily, but I really don't know for sure.
>
>

I had mine take a powder after it refused to drain. While here, the
plumber also discovered that some kid had jammed 3 Popsicle sticks into the
main drain pipe and that was prob. abetting the backup, but he'd cut the
g.d. GD loose by then and that was that. Anyhow, the darn thing is gone and
I don't miss the noise, plus I never felt I could get the thing very clean.
I'd rather add the food scraps to my comp heap. The collective 'we' dump
too much s--t into our sewer system as it is.

I guess you've read about those bathroom wipes?


==========

Never use the bathroom wipes. Never put anything but toilet paper down it,
not even Kleenex.

Cheri

In article >, says...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
> > I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large chunk.
> > He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a flashlight to
> > get the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and causing
> > the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200 less in
> > my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent
> > more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
> >
> > I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll take
> > me up on that.
>
> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
> sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
> the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
> so hopefully no more for awhile.
>
> Cheri

It's because the disposals don't gring the gunk up well enough.

Get a good one and what goes out the other end is effectively
pulverized.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 12:43:40 -0400, T >
wrote:

>In article >, says...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>> > Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
>> > I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large chunk.
>> > He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a flashlight to
>> > get the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and causing
>> > the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200 less in
>> > my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent
>> > more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>> >
>> > I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll take
>> > me up on that.
>>
>> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
>> sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>> the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
>> so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>
>> Cheri
>
>It's because the disposals don't gring the gunk up well enough.
>
>Get a good one and what goes out the other end is effectively
>pulverized.

A one-horse is good.
Janet US

"T" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>> > Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the
>> > disposal.
>> > I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>> > chunk.
>> > He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a flashlight
>> > to
>> > get the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and
>> > causing
>> > the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200 less
>> > in
>> > my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent
>> > more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>> >
>> > I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>> > take
>> > me up on that.
>>
>> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>> new
>> sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>> the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>> years,
>> so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>
>> Cheri
>
> It's because the disposals don't gring the gunk up well enough.
>
> Get a good one and what goes out the other end is effectively
> pulverized.
>


I bought a fairly expensive one two years ago so I doubt that is what's
causing it. I do have an old house though.

Cheri

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "T" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article >, says...
>>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>> > Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the
>>> > disposal.
>>> > I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>>> > chunk.
>>> > He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>>> > flashlight to
>>> > get the remaining piece that was wedged between the impellers and
>>> > causing
>>> > the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little more than $200
>>> > less in
>>> > my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to save money, I spent
>>> > more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>>> >
>>> > I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>>> > take
>>> > me up on that.
>>>
>>> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>> new
>>> sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>>> of
>>> the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>> years,
>>> so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>>
>>> Cheri
>>
>> It's because the disposals don't gring the gunk up well enough.
>>
>> Get a good one and what goes out the other end is effectively
>> pulverized.
>>
>
>
> I bought a fairly expensive one two years ago so I doubt that is what's
> causing it. I do have an old house though.

Mine is perhaps 3 years old and it's a good one. Yesterday's plumber said
that it was. I think my problem is the pipe that is either turned at a
right angle or whatever got dropped in the pipe.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the disposal.
>> I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one large
>> chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with a
>> flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a little
>> more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was trying to
>> save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>>
>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>> take me up on that.
>
> I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
> new sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
> of the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
> years, so hopefully no more for awhile.

I usually have 3 or 4 clogs a year that I can't clear. Was lucky in the
past year. Only had one bad one where they had to snake out to the main
line. And one that my husband was able to clear. Forgot that eggshells
shouldn't be put down there. Have actually done eggshells countless times
with other sinks with no problem but... Several plumbers have told me that
there is something stopping things up just beyond the sink. Either
something fell in the pipe or it makes a sharp turn when it shouldn't. But
it is likely the sharp turn to get the water going back towards the front of
the house. The only way to investigate what the problem is would be to open
up the wall. And at that, the problem still might not be fixable.

I think the reason I've had less clogs is because I do try not to use the
disposal, but there are times when I just say "Screw it!" and use it. Last
plumber offered to just take it out but... I fear that would cause even
more problems. One person who lives here tends to put plates and bowls with
food still on/in them straight in the sink. And often the side without the
disposal. I get sick of digging food out of there.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 21:44:27 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

> Several plumbers have told me that
> there is something stopping things up just beyond the sink. Either
> something fell in the pipe or it makes a sharp turn when it shouldn't. But
> it is likely the sharp turn to get the water going back towards the front of
> the house. The only way to investigate what the problem is would be to open
> up the wall. And at that, the problem still might not be fixable.

Find a plumber that has a snake with a camera on it.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 21:44:27 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>> Several plumbers have told me that
>> there is something stopping things up just beyond the sink. Either
>> something fell in the pipe or it makes a sharp turn when it shouldn't.
>> But
>> it is likely the sharp turn to get the water going back towards the front
>> of
>> the house. The only way to investigate what the problem is would be to
>> open
>> up the wall. And at that, the problem still might not be fixable.
>
> Find a plumber that has a snake with a camera on it.

That won't work because they can't get it in there far enough to find what
it is.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 23:20:12 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 21:44:27 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> Several plumbers have told me that
> >> there is something stopping things up just beyond the sink. Either
> >> something fell in the pipe or it makes a sharp turn when it shouldn't.
> >> But
> >> it is likely the sharp turn to get the water going back towards the front
> >> of
> >> the house. The only way to investigate what the problem is would be to
> >> open
> >> up the wall. And at that, the problem still might not be fixable.
> >
> > Find a plumber that has a snake with a camera on it.
>
> That won't work because they can't get it in there far enough to find what
> it is.

I've seen them on TV and they can get out to the water main. So,
you're saying that there is such a sharp turn that they can't get the
snake past it? That pretty much tells you what/where the problem is.
It's not a mystery. Open up the wall, throw some money at it and fix
it.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

wrote:
>
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
> >
> >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
> >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
> >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
> >so hopefully no more for awhile.
> >
> >Cheri
>
> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.

It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
if you maintain one.

Gary

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:44:36 -0400, Gary > wrote:

> wrote:
> >
> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
> > >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
> > >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
> > >so hopefully no more for awhile.
> > >
> > >Cheri
> >
> > I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
> > had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
> > used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>
> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
> if you maintain one.
>
Vegetable peels are fine, but it can't handle anything stringy like
corn husks, artichoke leaves or stems from roses. Don't ask me how I
know this. If your disposal is choking on vegetable peelings, then it
needs to be replaced or removed - what's the point in having one if it
can't even do that much?


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 08:14:37 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:44:36 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>> > wrote:
>> > >
>> > >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and new
>> > >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>> > >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
>> > >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>> > >
>> > >Cheri
>> >
>> > I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>> > had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>> > used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
>> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
>> if you maintain one.
>>
>Vegetable peels are fine, but it can't handle anything stringy like
>corn husks, artichoke leaves or stems from roses. Don't ask me how I
>know this. If your disposal is choking on vegetable peelings, then it
>needs to be replaced or removed - what's the point in having one if it
>can't even do that much?

I just read recently that you shouldn't put eggshells down the
disposal because they are 'heavy and will tend to sink to low spots in
the plumbing system and begin a clog.
Janet US

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:13:09 -0600, Janet Bostwick
> wrote:

> I just read recently that you shouldn't put eggshells down the
> disposal because they are 'heavy and will tend to sink to low spots in
> the plumbing system and begin a clog.

What's your experience? Mine says that's BS. You're supposed to keep
your water running while the disposal is on and for a short time after
to flush the drain. Do that and everything will be fine, don't do it
and you get to pay a plumber. I also turn my disposal on and off a
couple of times while I'm grinding any significant amount because a
plumber told me the blades reverse every time you do that and I think
it's a good idea to help keep things working smoothly during the
grinding process.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 2013-10-12 12:13 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:

> I just read recently that you shouldn't put eggshells down the
> disposal because they are 'heavy and will tend to sink to low spots in
> the plumbing system and begin a clog.
>

Once you start a clog it inevitably gets worse. It restricts the flow at
that point and the speed/volume in other areas, making it less likely to
flush the drains. Apply your high school geometry and figure percentage
of the diameter of that pipe is lost by even a small buildup of gunk.
That reduction then blocks other materials that are staying near the
bottom.

"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 08:14:37 -0700, sf > wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:44:36 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> > wrote:
>>> > >
>>> > >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed
>>> > >and new
>>> > >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are
>>> > >one of
>>> > >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>> > >years,
>>> > >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>> > >
>>> > >Cheri
>>> >
>>> > I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> > had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> > used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>>
>>> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
>>> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
>>> if you maintain one.
>>>
>>Vegetable peels are fine, but it can't handle anything stringy like
>>corn husks, artichoke leaves or stems from roses. Don't ask me how I
>>know this. If your disposal is choking on vegetable peelings, then it
>>needs to be replaced or removed - what's the point in having one if it
>>can't even do that much?
>
> I just read recently that you shouldn't put eggshells down the
> disposal because they are 'heavy and will tend to sink to low spots in
> the plumbing system and begin a clog.
> Janet US


I know that the city workers were complaining about egg shells and garbage
disposals in a newspaper article not too long ago, saying they wish people
wouldn't put them down the disposal.

Cheri

"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 08:14:37 -0700, sf > wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:44:36 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> > wrote:
>>> > >
>>> > >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed
>>> > >and new
>>> > >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are
>>> > >one of
>>> > >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>> > >years,
>>> > >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>> > >
>>> > >Cheri
>>> >
>>> > I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> > had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> > used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>>
>>> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
>>> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
>>> if you maintain one.
>>>
>>Vegetable peels are fine, but it can't handle anything stringy like
>>corn husks, artichoke leaves or stems from roses. Don't ask me how I
>>know this. If your disposal is choking on vegetable peelings, then it
>>needs to be replaced or removed - what's the point in having one if it
>>can't even do that much?
>
> I just read recently that you shouldn't put eggshells down the
> disposal because they are 'heavy and will tend to sink to low spots in
> the plumbing system and begin a clog.
> Janet US

Yep. Although I have done it countless times with no problem, I have had
two clogs here from shells. The last one was just two lousy eggs! The
shells kept bubbling up in teensy pieces.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 10:44:36 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>> > wrote:
>> > >
>> > >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed
>> > >and new
>> > >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>> > >of
>> > >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>> > >years,
>> > >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>> > >
>> > >Cheri
>> >
>> > I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>> > had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>> > used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
>> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
>> if you maintain one.
>>
> Vegetable peels are fine, but it can't handle anything stringy like
> corn husks, artichoke leaves or stems from roses. Don't ask me how I
> know this. If your disposal is choking on vegetable peelings, then it
> needs to be replaced or removed - what's the point in having one if it
> can't even do that much?

I've been told by plumbers never to put peels of any kind and that celery is
fine if it is just a few small pieces. But overall just not to use it.
Said that it is fine for any little bits of food clinging to a plate but not
to scrape a plate of uneaten food down there.

On 10/12/2013 10:44 AM, Gary wrote:

> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
> if you maintain one.
>
> Gary
>

I clogged my disposer with potato peels one time by pushing them all
down the drain after I peeled a few, then turned on the disposer.
Everything backed up, but I didn't need a plumber. I just used the
plunger to suck everything back up into the sink. Pulled it all out and
into the trash it went. No trouble after that.

I still put peelings down the garbage disposal but I do about a 1/2 cup
of them at a time now.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> wrote:
>>
>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>> >new
>> >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>> >of
>> >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>> >years,
>> >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>> >
>> >Cheri
>>
>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>
> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
> if you maintain one.

I don't know what caused the massive clog we had when we first moved in.
They had to snake out to the main line.

Then we began canning. Applesauce and pears. I put all of the peels and
cores down the sink for days on end. Managed to get the first clog out by
just bailing and bailing and running the disposal until enough crap came up.
But then I was fool enough to try it again.

We did not have one when I was growing up so didn't know what I could and
couldn't put down. When I began to put salad down my friend's disposal, she
freaked! Told me that salad should *never* go down. And I was like...
Gee! Maybe that's why mine clogged when I put the flowers down it! Hehehe.
I also got a clog from broccoli slaw.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message
> ...
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed
>>> >and new
>>> >sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>>> >of
>>> >the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>> >years,
>>> >so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>> >
>>> >Cheri
>>>
>>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
>> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
>> if you maintain one.
>
> I don't know what caused the massive clog we had when we first moved in.
> They had to snake out to the main line.
>
> Then we began canning. Applesauce and pears. I put all of the peels and
> cores down the sink for days on end. Managed to get the first clog out by
> just bailing and bailing and running the disposal until enough crap came
> up. But then I was fool enough to try it again.
>
> We did not have one when I was growing up so didn't know what I could and
> couldn't put down. When I began to put salad down my friend's disposal,
> she freaked! Told me that salad should *never* go down. And I was
> like... Gee! Maybe that's why mine clogged when I put the flowers down
> it! Hehehe. I also got a clog from broccoli slaw.


I imagine the slaw would do it. Cole slaw was a problem for even the
industrial disposals where I worked and we were told never to put shredded
cabbage down them in anything but the smallest amounts.

Cheri

On 10/12/2013 10:44 AM, Gary wrote:

> It's usually vegetable peels that will clog up a garbage disposal.
> Plumber told me that. The peels belong in the trash or a compost heap
> if you maintain one.
>

We moved my inlaws into a place that had a garbage disposal. Bad
enough the new contraptions were confusing to them (why can't you
just put dish soap in the dishwasher? Oh, that's why), the garbage
disposal was nothing but trouble. Banana peels jammed up the thing
but good. We told them not to use it any more.

I have one I never use, it's more trouble than it's worth.
Vegetable peels are why I wanted one to start with. Now those
go in the compost anyway.

nancy

On Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:09:36 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:


>
>We moved my inlaws into a place that had a garbage disposal. Bad
>enough the new contraptions were confusing to them (why can't you
>just put dish soap in the dishwasher? Oh, that's why), the garbage
>disposal was nothing but trouble. Banana peels jammed up the thing
>but good. We told them not to use it any more.

They have to rank right up with corn husks. I guess then never read
or maybe never had the instructions. Things like that can be difficult
for elderly to understand.

On 10/13/2013 9:57 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:09:36 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>
>>
>> We moved my inlaws into a place that had a garbage disposal. Bad
>> enough the new contraptions were confusing to them (why can't you
>> just put dish soap in the dishwasher? Oh, that's why), the garbage
>> disposal was nothing but trouble. Banana peels jammed up the thing
>> but good. We told them not to use it any more.
>
> They have to rank right up with corn husks. I guess then never read
> or maybe never had the instructions. Things like that can be difficult
> for elderly to understand.

Absolutely, and notice I said 'we moved' them there, they were
both in stages of dementia.

And after finding out about all the things you can't or shouldn't
put down there, I might not qualify for elderly but I don't really
understand what garbage disposals *are* good for. I would take mine
out if it would cost money to do so.

nancy

In article >,
Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

> On Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:09:36 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>
> >
> >We moved my inlaws into a place that had a garbage disposal. Bad
> >enough the new contraptions were confusing to them (why can't you
> >just put dish soap in the dishwasher? Oh, that's why), the garbage
> >disposal was nothing but trouble. Banana peels jammed up the thing
> >but good. We told them not to use it any more.
>
> They have to rank right up with corn husks. I guess then never read
> or maybe never had the instructions. Things like that can be difficult
> for elderly to understand.

I remember the day my mom had a luncheon at her house and served
artichokes. She tried to put about 6 artichokes worth of leaves down the
garbage disposal. My dad was pretty unhappy unclogging that mess!

The recipe she used was very good though, in case you're craving
artichokes and shrimp:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/fo...ichokes-in-Pep
pery-Butter-Sauce-14416

I will confess to cleaning the shrimp as it's just too much of a pain to
eat with all the legs and heads :-)

marcella

> wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
>>
>>I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>new
>>sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>>the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
>>so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>
>>Cheri
>
> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.


Yes, now that my dh is retired he fishes a lot and has a worm farm going so
all the edible type veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc., go there now. I
didn't really want to believe that the GD was causing all the clogs, but
I've slowly come to the conclusion that it is causing the problems.

Cheri

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:07:53 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

> wrote in message
.. .
>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>> wrote:
>>>
>>>I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>>new
>>>sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>>>the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
>>>so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>>
>>>Cheri
>>
>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>
>
>Yes, now that my dh is retired he fishes a lot and has a worm farm going so
>all the edible type veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc., go there now. I
>didn't really want to believe that the GD was causing all the clogs, but
>I've slowly come to the conclusion that it is causing the problems.

I don't understand garbage disposals. I've never had one, and I don't
know anyone who has ever had one. We just put our vegetable waste in
the compost, and meat waste in the garbage. Now that my area has
started up with "green" bins, we put the meat waste in the freezer and
dispose of it every 3-4 weeks.

We are on a septic system, so I shudder to think of what effect a
garbage disposal would have on our tank.

Doris

"Doris Night" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:07:53 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
>
> wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>>>new
>>>>sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>>>>of
>>>>the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>>>years,
>>>>so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>>>
>>>>Cheri
>>>
>>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>>
>>Yes, now that my dh is retired he fishes a lot and has a worm farm going
>>so
>>all the edible type veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc., go there now. I
>>didn't really want to believe that the GD was causing all the clogs, but
>>I've slowly come to the conclusion that it is causing the problems.
>
> I don't understand garbage disposals. I've never had one, and I don't
> know anyone who has ever had one. We just put our vegetable waste in
> the compost, and meat waste in the garbage. Now that my area has
> started up with "green" bins, we put the meat waste in the freezer and
> dispose of it every 3-4 weeks.
>
> We are on a septic system, so I shudder to think of what effect a
> garbage disposal would have on our tank.
>
> Doris


I always do that with meat waste. I freeze it, and send it out in the
garbage every week on garbage day. I really never wanted to put meat waste
down the disposal at all.

Cheri

"Doris Night" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:07:53 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
>
> wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>>>new
>>>>sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one
>>>>of
>>>>the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20
>>>>years,
>>>>so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>>>
>>>>Cheri
>>>
>>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>>
>>Yes, now that my dh is retired he fishes a lot and has a worm farm going
>>so
>>all the edible type veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc., go there now. I
>>didn't really want to believe that the GD was causing all the clogs, but
>>I've slowly come to the conclusion that it is causing the problems.
>
> I don't understand garbage disposals. I've never had one, and I don't
> know anyone who has ever had one. We just put our vegetable waste in
> the compost, and meat waste in the garbage. Now that my area has
> started up with "green" bins, we put the meat waste in the freezer and
> dispose of it every 3-4 weeks.
>
> We are on a septic system, so I shudder to think of what effect a
> garbage disposal would have on our tank.

From what I've been told, you can't have one with septic. I used to love
them. Am beginning to hate them now. Especially after I got those drain
flies in there.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 21:57:46 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

> From what I've been told, you can't have one with septic. I used to love
> them.

We had septic tanks when I was a kid. Both my mother and grandmother
had garbage disposals and no problems that I heard of.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 23:09:27 -0400, Doris Night
> wrote:

>On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:07:53 -0700, "Cheri" >
>wrote:
>
> wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:26:50 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I just spent $225.00 to have the garbage disposal completely removed and
>>>>new
>>>>sink rings put in. More than one plumber has told us that GD's are one of
>>>>the main reasons for clogs. We've had a lot of clogs in the past 20 years,
>>>>so hopefully no more for awhile.
>>>>
>>>>Cheri
>>>
>>> I think you will find that so, years since I gave up on them and never
>>> had a problem. Also kinder to the environment - most of the stuff I
>>> used to put down the GD is green bin/compost stuff.
>>
>>
>>Yes, now that my dh is retired he fishes a lot and has a worm farm going so
>>all the edible type veggie scraps, coffee grounds etc., go there now. I
>>didn't really want to believe that the GD was causing all the clogs, but
>>I've slowly come to the conclusion that it is causing the problems.
>
>I don't understand garbage disposals. I've never had one, and I don't
>know anyone who has ever had one. We just put our vegetable waste in
>the compost, and meat waste in the garbage. Now that my area has
>started up with "green" bins, we put the meat waste in the freezer and
>dispose of it every 3-4 weeks.
>
>We are on a septic system, so I shudder to think of what effect a
>garbage disposal would have on our tank.
>
>Doris

We are on a septic system and have no problem with using a garbage
disposal. I tend to put most of my fruit & vegetable leavings in the
compost. If it can't go in the compost it goes down the garbage
disposal except for large heavy bones. I think fats are the most
likely item to clog a disposal, especially if you do not use plenty of
cold water while it is running.

--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

The Cook wrote:
>
> I think fats are the most
> likely item to clog a disposal, especially if you do not use plenty of
> cold water while it is running.
>
Hmmmm. One rule I've always heard is to never pour fat down a drain,
with or without a disposal. If you did occasionally, I would think
that running plenty of HOT water before and after would help it go all
the way out. Running cold water would make it congeal in the pipes
pretty quickly. (?)

Lots of thin vegetable peels have clogged mine up. Carrot peels
brought the plumber last time (several years ago). I don't put much of
anything down mine these days. I have a large trash bag for cans,
paper, etc. I also use a daily grocery store plastic bag for food
scraps (and ferret poopy papers). This bag goes out daily.

Gary

On Sun, 13 Oct 2013 07:29:55 -0400, The Cook >
wrote:

> We are on a septic system and have no problem with using a garbage
> disposal. I tend to put most of my fruit & vegetable leavings in the
> compost. If it can't go in the compost it goes down the garbage
> disposal except for large heavy bones. I think fats are the most
> likely item to clog a disposal, especially if you do not use plenty of
> cold water while it is running.

We had lots of dogs when I was a kid, so meat fat and scraps from
dinner went into a pot that was heated and fed to them along with
their kibble the following day.

What I do now is keep a "grease can" under the sink where the
fat/grease goes, so only minute amounts of fat go down the drain. It
had been a habit of mine ever since living in the city, but was really
driven home as a good idea when we bought this house because I had to
call a plumber just a couple of days after we moved in due to the
kitchen sink being clogged (no garbage disposal at that time). The
plumber said it was the result of years of grease and soap buildup,
not my fault. I put in a garbage disposal immediately and have had
absolutely no disposal problems due to grease or fat issues since
then.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 10/11/2013 10:09 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> I had to call the plumber again today. And only now in retrospect am I
> piecing together what may have happened.
>
> Was cooking or baking something the other day. Can't remember which.
> Needed my nail brush. The one that I keep in a little plastic basket
> behind the sink is a clear, hard plastic in a kidney bean shape.
> Hmmmm... It wasn't there. I picked the basket up to look. A piece of
> plastic broke off of the basket when I picked it up but... The basket
> is old. Nope. Brush wasn't in there but there was a cheap one that I
> had put in the Christmas surprise ball one year. I could picture a
> broken nail brush in my mind. A clear one in a kidney bean shape. But
> I had thought that one had been in the bathroom. I just sort of
> shrugged and dismissed it, thinking that I had remembered it wrong.
>
> Also, I picked Jetta out of the sink the other day. Jetta is our
> kitten. None of our cats have ever gotten *in* the sink before but some
> have stood beside it. I do not allow cats on the counter but she has
> only just now discovered that she can get up there and behind the sink
> where the garden window is. Our former kitten, Bali, loved to get in
> that same spot too. Now, I can't remember where this was in terms of her
> being in the sink and the nail brush being gone.
>
> Fast forward to dinner yesterday. Husband usually comes home quite late
> on Fridays. I had some fish in the fridge for him and was making
> daughter's dinner which was some Chik'n (soy and wheat based faux
> chicken), mashed potatoes, gravy and wax beans. Husband came in just as
> I was about to fix stuff. I put his fish in the oven. Finished the
> rest of the stuff, served them, then got the cats some canned food.
>
> Noticed later that daughter hadn't quite finished her food. Now I know
> that I am supposed to put food in a Biobag and dispose of it but there
> was gravy and some mashed potatoes. Stuff like that doesn't do well in
> a Biobag. Wet stuff makes the bag begin to break down. So I flushed it
> down the sink, turned the garbage disposal on, then headed towards the
> stove to get the pan from the fish and the Chik'n. That's when I heard
> the horrible noise. Dang! Why did I leave the sink? But the damage had
> been done.
>
> I then did what you're not supposed to do and reached into the disposal.
> And what was in there? Yep! The missing nail brush!
>
> The plumber surmised that it may in fact have fallen in there days ago
> but landed in such a spot that it didn't come in direct contact with the
> disposal until just then. I don't normally use the disposal for human
> food unless it is just small amounts rinsed from a pan or something.
> But I do use it daily to rinse off the cat dishes from the soft food.
> So I do turn it on several times a day.
>
> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the
> disposal. I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one
> large chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with
> a flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a
> little more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was
> trying to save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>
> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
> take me up on that.

You didn't need no stinkin' plumber. All you need is a wooden broom
stick to shove down into the impeller blade and pry that sucker free. If
the impeller then spins freely, you're good to go. If it doesn't, reach
in there and pull out the obstruction. Then send me $20.

On Sat, 12 Oct 2013 06:49:24 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

>On 10/11/2013 10:09 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> I had to call the plumber again today. And only now in retrospect am I
>> piecing together what may have happened.
>>
>> Was cooking or baking something the other day. Can't remember which.
>> Needed my nail brush. The one that I keep in a little plastic basket
>> behind the sink is a clear, hard plastic in a kidney bean shape.
>> Hmmmm... It wasn't there. I picked the basket up to look. A piece of
>> plastic broke off of the basket when I picked it up but... The basket
>> is old. Nope. Brush wasn't in there but there was a cheap one that I
>> had put in the Christmas surprise ball one year. I could picture a
>> broken nail brush in my mind. A clear one in a kidney bean shape. But
>> I had thought that one had been in the bathroom. I just sort of
>> shrugged and dismissed it, thinking that I had remembered it wrong.
>>
>> Also, I picked Jetta out of the sink the other day. Jetta is our
>> kitten. None of our cats have ever gotten *in* the sink before but some
>> have stood beside it. I do not allow cats on the counter but she has
>> only just now discovered that she can get up there and behind the sink
>> where the garden window is. Our former kitten, Bali, loved to get in
>> that same spot too. Now, I can't remember where this was in terms of her
>> being in the sink and the nail brush being gone.
>>
>> Fast forward to dinner yesterday. Husband usually comes home quite late
>> on Fridays. I had some fish in the fridge for him and was making
>> daughter's dinner which was some Chik'n (soy and wheat based faux
>> chicken), mashed potatoes, gravy and wax beans. Husband came in just as
>> I was about to fix stuff. I put his fish in the oven. Finished the
>> rest of the stuff, served them, then got the cats some canned food.
>>
>> Noticed later that daughter hadn't quite finished her food. Now I know
>> that I am supposed to put food in a Biobag and dispose of it but there
>> was gravy and some mashed potatoes. Stuff like that doesn't do well in
>> a Biobag. Wet stuff makes the bag begin to break down. So I flushed it
>> down the sink, turned the garbage disposal on, then headed towards the
>> stove to get the pan from the fish and the Chik'n. That's when I heard
>> the horrible noise. Dang! Why did I leave the sink? But the damage had
>> been done.
>>
>> I then did what you're not supposed to do and reached into the disposal.
>> And what was in there? Yep! The missing nail brush!
>>
>> The plumber surmised that it may in fact have fallen in there days ago
>> but landed in such a spot that it didn't come in direct contact with the
>> disposal until just then. I don't normally use the disposal for human
>> food unless it is just small amounts rinsed from a pan or something.
>> But I do use it daily to rinse off the cat dishes from the soft food.
>> So I do turn it on several times a day.
>>
>> Almost the entire long side of the brush was shaved off by the
>> disposal. I only managed to retrieve what was left of the brush and one
>> large chunk. He got another chunk and then had to go back in there with
>> a flashlight to get the remaining piece that was wedged between the
>> impellers and causing the unit to overheat. Oh joy! Now I have a
>> little more than $200 less in my wallet. So here on a week when I was
>> trying to save money, I spent more! And I got my dinner late to boot.
>>
>> I told daughter that she should be a plumber but I don't think she'll
>> take me up on that.
>
>You didn't need no stinkin' plumber. All you need is a wooden broom
>stick to shove down into the impeller blade and pry that sucker free. If
>the impeller then spins freely, you're good to go. If it doesn't, reach
>in there and pull out the obstruction. Then send me $20.

a long handled wooden spoon works too
Janet US