A jammed, leaking, or dead garbage disposal is a common kitchen plumbing problem. Here is when to repair versus replace and what the job involves.
Garbage disposals are one of the most frequently serviced kitchen appliances in Ada County homes. They jam, leak, hum without spinning, or simply stop working — and when they go, they usually do it at the worst possible time.
A disposal that hums but does not spin has a jammed grinding plate. Most jams can be cleared by inserting a hex key into the reset port on the bottom of the unit and manually rotating the plate to free the obstruction. If the unit trips its reset button repeatedly, the motor may be failing.
Leaks are the other common disposal problem. A leak from the top of the unit where it connects to the sink drain usually means the mounting ring seal has failed. A leak from the side indicates a cracked body or failed dishwasher drain connection. Leaks from the bottom almost always mean the internal seals have failed and the unit needs replacement.
Most garbage disposals last 8 to 12 years. If your unit is in that range and experiencing problems, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair. A new disposal costs 50 to 00 for the unit, and installation typically takes under an hour.
1Up Plumbing handles garbage disposal repair and replacement throughout Ada County, including Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Garden City. Call (208) 919-8496 to schedule service.