How to Remove Broken Glass From the Garbage Disposal

Glasses and dishware can occasionally break when they’re handled in the sink. Unfortunately, glass and other broken shards can make their way into your sink’s garbage disposal. Great! Now we have to fish these pieces out very, very carefully…

Step 1: Cut the Power

Before you do anything, the power being supplied to the garbage disposal must be turned off. You can turn off the power on the disposal itself, but just to be safe — switch off the breaker at the panel too.

Step 2: Go Fishing

First things first, do not stick your hand into the drain in hope to pull out the glass. Instead, grab a pair of needle nose pliers and begun pulling out as many pieces as you can find. Most of the bigger pieces will live toward the top of the drain’s opening.

Step 3: Vacuum or Bust

Next up, bring your Shop Vac into the house from the garage. Using the long-head attachment, begin sucking out glass from the drain opening. If you don’t have this long, yet skinny attachment, tape thin PEX tubing to the nozzle of the vacuum. Some pieces will need to sucked out one by one if the opening of the nozzle isn’t wide enough.

Step 4: Turn the Blades

To remove the last bits and pieces of remaining glass, you’ll need to turn the blades of the disposal. Do this by using a hex key underneath the disposal, or by using a broom handle (or stick) via the drain opening to turn the blades. Suck up any remaining glass with your vacuum.

Step 5: Power On

Once all of the glass has been removed, turn the power back on for the garbage disposal. Run the tap to wash away any extremely small piece of glass that might linger behind.

Removing glass from a garbage disposal isn’t difficult — but it is dangerous. When your garbage disposal or plumbing needs service or repair, contact Len The Plumber. If you’re looking for a reliable plumber, check to see if you live in one of our many service areas!

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