How to Remove a Screw Stuck in the Garbage Disposal

Removing a screw stuck in the garbage disposal may be challenging and a bit messy but it can be done. No, you need not use force to get the screw out. To loosen up that stubborn screw, here is what you need to do:

Step 1 – Clean the Garbage Bin

With the use of soap and warm water, clean the garbage bin before you start working on removing that stubborn screw. When cleaning the garbage bin, pay close attention to the area where the screw is stuck. Remove as much dirt and grime as you can. In most cases, screws get stuck in their places because of grime, dirt and rust.

Step 2 – Put Lemon or Hydrogen Peroxide into the Screw Hole

To help dissolve the corrosion that binds the screw into its hole, pour some lemon or hydrogen peroxide on the screw hole. Let the lemon or hydrogen peroxide soak the screw hole. The anti corrosive elements in the lemon and the hydrogen peroxide works better if you soak the screw hole overnight. The lemon and the hydrogen peroxide may not release the screw, but it will soften the corrosion around the screw so that it will be easier for you to remove the screw later on.

Step 3 – Tap the Screw

Using the handle of your screwdriver, tap the head of the head of the screw. Tapping the head of the screw will help the anti corrosive solution deep into the screw hole and loosen some of the rust that binds the screw. If your screw is badly corroded, you may need to use a hammer to tap the screw harder. Just make sure that you do not tap so hard that you end up driving the screw deeper into its hole. Remember that your goal here is to remove the screw and not to push the screw deeper into its place.

Step 4 – Put Lubricant into the Screw Hole

If your screw is badly corroded, you will need to apply some lubricant to help soften the corrosion. While apply the lubricant into the screw hole, tap the head of the screw to help the lubricant reach deeper into the hole.

Step 5 – Remove the Screw

Once the corrosion on the screw has softened, try to remove the screw with the use of a screwdriver. If the screw does not budge on your first try, tap the head of the screw to help loosen up the corrosion. You may also add a little more lubricant into screw hole. After putting lubricant into the screw hole, tap the screw once more before you attempt to loosen it. Repeat this process until you are able to remove the screw from its place.

Step 6 – Clean the Screw Hole

Before you put a new screw into the hole make sure the screw hole is clean. To clean the screw hole, put some lubricant into the hole to help remove the remaining corrosion.