VP Plumbing and Drain | Reliable Plumbing Service in Gaithersburg, MD

First, turn off the disposal and the circuit breaker for safety. Never put your hand down the drain. Use an Allen wrench (often provided with the unit) to manually rotate the disposal's flywheel from the bottom to dislodge the jam. If it's still stuck, or if you hear grinding, it's best to call us for a professional garbage disposal repair. Forcing it can damage the motor, especially with our area's hard water causing mineral buildup.

This is a common issue in our community. Older shutoff valves often have worn washers or stems that fail after years of mineral deposits from our water. Attempting to force a stuck valve can cause it to break completely, leading to a major leak. For your safety, we recommend calling VP Plumbing for a professional repair or replacement. We can install a new, reliable quarter-turn valve to prevent future emergencies and water damage.

We don't recommend chemical drain cleaners for Gaithersburg homes. They are harsh on your pipes, especially older ones, and can be dangerous. A slow shower drain is often caused by a combination of hair and soap scum, which chemicals rarely dissolve fully. Our local plumbers use professional-grade augers and hydro-jetting to safely and completely clear the blockage without damaging your plumbing, providing a longer-lasting solution than store-bought chemicals.