Hums but does not turn
Motor has power but the impeller plate is jammed. Usually clearable with the hex wrench at the base. If it jams repeatedly, the bearings are wearing.
Kitchen
Garbage disposal repair & installation
A disposal that hums is usually jammed. A disposal that leaks from the bottom is usually finished.
Open 24/7 across Elgin · Flat-rate pricing quoted before we start
Overview
Disposals are simple machines and most of their failure modes are diagnosable in a couple of minutes. Some are genuinely a five-minute fix, and we will tell you when that is the case rather than selling you a new unit.
The one worth paying attention to is a disposal that has become the explanation for a recurring kitchen drain clog. Frequently the disposal is fine and the branch line beyond it is coated in grease — replacing the unit in that situation changes nothing.
Symptoms
What the symptom tells us
Completely dead
Check the reset button underneath first, then the breaker. If both are fine, it is the switch or the motor — and a failed motor means replacement.
Leaking underneath
Where it leaks matters. From the sink flange it is a reseal. From a hose connection it is a gasket. From the body seam it means the housing has corroded through, and no repair exists.
Loud grinding
Something foreign in the chamber, or worn impellers. Cutlery and bottle caps are the usual culprits and are worth removing before running it again.
Drains slowly after running
Very often not the disposal at all — grease build-up in the line downstream. This is the case where replacing the unit solves nothing.
Our process
What we check
-
Confirm it is actually the disposal
We check whether the drain line beyond the unit is clear before recommending replacement. If the branch line is greased up, that is the real repair.
-
Repair when repairable
Jams, reset faults, flange leaks, and hose gaskets are all straightforward fixes. We are not going to sell you a unit you do not need.
-
Replace properly when needed
New units get a fresh mounting assembly and a correct drain connection. Reusing a worn flange is a leak in six months.
-
Check the trap and branch
While under the sink we inspect the trap and connections, since disposal work and drain work usually turn up together.
Scope
Disposal work
Diagnosis is included with the service call. If it turns out to be a jam we can clear on the spot, that is what you pay for — not a replacement.
Request service- Jam clearing and reset diagnosis
- Flange, gasket, and mounting reseals
- Full disposal replacement
- New disposal installation where none existed
- Dishwasher drain connection
- Associated kitchen drain clearing
My disposal just hums. Can I fix it myself?
Often, yes. Switch it off, use the hex wrench that came with it in the socket underneath, and work the impeller plate back and forth to free the jam. Then press the reset button. Never put your hand into the chamber, even with the power off.
How long should a disposal last?
Roughly eight to fifteen years depending on quality and use. If a unit near the end of that range is leaking from the body, replacement is the only real option.
What should never go down it?
Grease and cooking oil above all — they solidify in the line past the disposal and cause the clogs people blame the unit for. Also fibrous vegetable waste, coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta and rice, and bones.
Do I need a plumber to install one?
Not legally, but the two things that go wrong are the drain connection and the electrical, and both are worth getting right. A poorly sealed mounting assembly leaks slowly into the cabinet, which is usually discovered as damaged cabinet floor.
Related services
Other services we provide.
Reviews
Homeowners who count on us.
4.9 average, based on 301 Google reviews
★★★★★
Upon hearing my water heater hissing for 20 minutes, I called Alexander Plumbing. They were able to send someone out within the hour to inspect it. Then they were able to replace the water heater early the next morning…
★★★★★
My kitchen drain was backing up and I have long pipes to get to the main stack- Paul was able to get enough length to free up the clog. He also used a chemical to super fulsh the pipes. Great service- Paul was very good…
★★★★★
Pat and Neil are absolutely fantastic. We had a bit of an emergency plumbing issue and they were so calm and informative on the phone. Neil was at our home within an hour and did excellent work! Definitely recommend…
A plumbing problem should
not become a renovation.
If it is safe, close the nearest shutoff valve, move belongings away from water, and tell us exactly what you see.
Let's Get Your Plumbing Back on Track
4.9
301 Google reviews
