Garbage Disposal Repair in Greensboro, NC

What the symptom tells you

• Hums, doesn't spin: something is wedged between the flywheel and the grinding ring
• Silent: the reset button on the bottom has tripped, or the switch, outlet or breaker has failed
• Leaks at the top: the sink flange seal has loosened
• Leaks at the side: the dishwasher hose or drain pipe connection
• Leaks from the bottom: an internal seal has failed, which usually means a new unit
• Runs but the sink drains slowly: a clog in the trap or the drain line past the disposal

Safe things to try first

Turn the disposal off at the wall switch and unplug it or shut off its breaker. Never put your hand in the chamber. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. If it hums when you turn it back on, most models have a hex socket in the center of the bottom; turning it back and forth with the matching wrench can free a jam. Skip chemical drain cleaners, which can damage the unit and make the water hazardous for whoever works on it next.

Grease, disposals and Greensboro's sewers

A disposal grinds food, but it doesn't make grease go away. The City of Greensboro's Fats, Oils and Grease Control Policy says grease building up in sewer lines increases the chance of blockages, and those blockages can cause sewer overflows and wastewater backing up into homes and businesses. The policy notes that disposal discharge goes straight into the drain system, and it calls for grease education aimed at residents as well as restaurants. At home, that means:

• Pour cooking grease into a container and put it in the trash once it cools
• Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing
• Go easy on fibrous peels, coffee grounds and large amounts of rice or pasta
• Run cold water while the disposal is on and for a few seconds after

Repair or replace?

Jams, a tripped reset, a loose flange or a leaking hose connection are repairs. A unit that leaks from its body, has a dead motor, or keeps jamming is usually replaced. Garbage disposals appear as their own line on the City of Greensboro's plumbing permit fee schedule, so ask the plumber whether a permit applies to a new installation.

What affects the cost

Cost depends on whether it's a simple unjam or a replacement, the size and type of disposal you choose, whether the electrical connection needs work, whether the drain line beyond the unit also needs clearing, and how the dishwasher hookup is set up.