A garbage disposal that floods the cabinet or stops the sink drain is an emergency in a busy kitchen. Switch the disposal off at the wall switch, then at the breaker if you can, and call our 24/7 line. Same-day and after-hours visits are scheduled when a plumber is available.
Garbage disposal repair means freeing a jam, replacing a seal or flange that leaks, resetting or replacing the motor, and fixing the drain connections that feed the sink trap. We also install a new disposal when the old one is worn out.
When a disposal problem is an emergency
Water leaking under the sink, a burning smell or a unit that sparks when switched on needs immediate attention. Turn off the power first. Do not reach into a disposal, even when it is off.
If the sink is backing up with food debris, stop the dishwasher too. Its drain hose joins the disposal and will push water back into the cabinet.
Safe first steps
- Switch off the disposal and its breaker.
- Do not put your hand into the unit.
- If it hums but does not turn, find the hex socket underneath and turn it by hand with the wrench that came with the unit.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the housing once the motor cools.
What goes wrong with disposals
Hums but won't turn
The blades are jammed by a hard item, a bone or a fruit pit. A hand turn at the bottom often frees them.
Leaks at the top
The flange seal or the mounting has loosened or cracked.
Leaks at the side
A drain pipe or dishwasher hose connection has loosened.
Won't run at all
A tripped reset, a dead motor or a wiring fault. A meter test tells us which.
How we repair or replace a disposal
Diagnose
We test power, spin the blades by hand and inspect every drain joint.
Fix or replace
Jams and joint leaks are repaired. A failed motor means replacement.
Rework the connections
New seals, a new trap or a new drain arm are added as needed.
Run test
We run water and food waste through and check for leaks again.
Disposal acting up?
Call and tell us what the unit does.
Repair or replace the disposal
| Symptom | Likely fix | Replace when |
|---|---|---|
| Jammed blades | Free by hand | The motor tripped repeatedly |
| Leak at the flange | New seal and mounting | The housing is cracked |
| Leak from the housing | Not repairable | Always replace |
| No power | Reset or wiring check | The motor is burned out |
What not to put down a disposal
Grease, coffee grounds in bulk, pasta and rice, fibrous peels and bones all cause clogs downstream even when the disposal handles them. Run cold water while it runs, and for a few seconds after.
In a home with older drain lines, as many Lemon Grove homes have, grease from the disposal is a common cause of kitchen drain backups. If that is happening, hydro jetting may be the right next step.
What disposal repair costs
The total is explained before work begins. Insurance may cover damage from a sudden leak, but the disposal itself is usually a wear item.
Codes, permits and licensing
Work on garbage disposal repair in California is governed by the California Plumbing Code, a state version of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). Whether a permit applies depends on the scope, so ask the City of Lemon Grove building department or ask us before work begins.
Plumbing contractors in California hold a C-36 license from the Contractors State License Board, and you can check any license at cslb.ca.gov.
Frequently asked questions about garbage disposal repair in Lemon Grove
Yes. If the unit is leaking or sparking, switch it off and call at any hour. A plumber is scheduled as soon as one is free.
Something is jamming the blades. Turn off power and work the blades by hand with a hex wrench from underneath.
Yes. We handle the mounting, the drain connections and the electrical plug-in. We test it before leaving.
If the leak is at a flange or pipe joint, yes. If the housing leaks, replace the unit.
It varies with use and care. A disposal that fails repeatedly, hums and leaks is usually due for replacement.