Garbage disposal repair and replacement for Florence kitchens
A disposal that hums, stalls, leaks or sends gray water back up the sink is a small problem that can turn messy. Dial (520) 340-7175 and a plumber can be booked through dispatch to fix it or fit a new one.
Each repair or install comes from licensed and insured plumbers, who check the sink drain and dishwasher connection while they are there.
- Licensed and insured plumbers
- Same-day service when available
- 24/7 emergency dispatch
Jammed, humming or dead: what each means
| What you hear or see | Likely cause | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jammed blades | Power off, then turn the blades by hand with the hex key |
| Silence, no hum | Tripped reset or no power | Press the reset, check the outlet and breaker |
| Grinding or rattling | A hard object in the chamber | Power off, remove it with tongs |
| Water in the cabinet | A leak at a seal or the unit body | Turn it off and call |
| Sink fills when it runs | A clog past the disposal | Call for a line clear |
Disposal repair
Many problems can be fixed. A jam is cleared. A tripped unit is reset. A loose flange or a worn gasket can be resealed. A worn drain connection can be rebuilt. A plumber tells you which, and whether the repair is likely to last.
Leaks at the faucet or the supply lines under the same sink are a separate fix, covered on the faucet and toilet repair page. If the motor has burned out, the blades are worn or the housing is cracked, replacement is the right call. A disposal that is more than about a decade old is often better replaced than repaired.
A leaking disposal: where the water comes from
- From the sink flange at the top: the mounting seal has failed
- From the drain connection on the side: the gasket or the bolts are loose
- From the dishwasher inlet: the hose clamp or the connection has slipped
- From the body or the bottom: the housing is cracked and the unit needs replacing
Water under a sink damages cabinet floors quickly. Dry the area and keep a bucket in place until the repair is done. If the cabinet floor or the wall behind it has soaked through, flood cleanup service covers the drying.
Installing or replacing a disposal
- The plumber shuts off power and removes the old unit and its mounting ring.
- The sink flange is cleaned and a new mount is installed.
- The new disposal is hung, and the discharge and dishwasher connections are made.
- The electrical connection is wired or plugged into a switched outlet.
- Water is run and the unit is tested for leaks and spin.
Same-day and urgent calls follow the usual steps. Tell dispatch what the unit is doing and whether water is reaching the cabinet, and a visit is arranged once a plumber is available. If the old unit is dead and you want a new one fitted, say so on the call so the right size is brought.
- Horsepower: a larger motor handles tougher scraps and runs quieter
- Feed type: continuous feed uses a wall switch, batch feed uses a stopper
- Check that the sink drain and trap are in good shape before adding a new unit
Dishwasher connection and clogs
Most dishwashers drain through the disposal. A knockout plug inside the unit must be removed for the connection to work, a step that is easy to miss on a new install. If the dishwasher leaves standing water, the disposal and its connection are checked first.
A clog that stays after the disposal is fixed belongs to the drain line, which the cleaning a clogged drain page covers.
What not to put down a disposal
- Grease, oil and fat, which coat the pipe and harden
- Coffee grounds in large amounts, which pack into sludge
- Bones, fruit pits and corn husks
- Fibrous stalks such as celery and artichoke
- Potato peels and pasta in large amounts, which swell
- Anything that is not food, including utensils and bottle caps
Smells usually come from food residue stuck under the splash guard or on the chamber walls. Scrubbing the guard, grinding a few ice cubes and flushing with cold water often clears it. A smell that stays can mean a clogged drain line, which is a different job.
Run cold water before, during and after use. A short flush after each use helps move scraps along.
Garbage disposal questions answered
Who fixes garbage disposals?
A plumber handles the sink connections, the drain and the unit's mounting and can usually repair or replace a disposal in one visit. An electrician is needed only if the wiring or outlet is the problem.
Before calling, work through this list:
1. Unplug the disposal or switch off its breaker. 2. Check the reset button on the bottom of the unit. 3. Look for water under the sink. 4. Note any noise it makes.
Then call, and describe what you found.
Why is my garbage disposal humming and not spinning?
Imagine running the disposal and hearing only a hum. That sound means the motor has power but the blades are stuck, often on a bone, a fruit pit or a utensil.
Turn it off at the switch and unplug it or turn off the breaker. Then use the hex socket on the bottom to turn the blades back and forth. Never put your hand in. If the unit still hums, call.
My garbage disposal is leaking. What should I do?
Do now: turn off the disposal and put a bucket under the leak. Run no water into the sink until the source is known.
Can wait: deciding between repair and replacement. A leak from the sink flange or a drain connection can often be resealed or tightened. A leak from the unit's body means it needs replacing.
Why is my kitchen sink clogged or backed up after I use the disposal?
A sink that fills with gray water when the disposal runs points to a blockage past the disposal, in the trap or the drain line. Grease and ground food collect there.
The disposal alone does not clear that. A plumber can open the trap, snake the line and check the dishwasher connection if both sides back up.