Szeto Handyman
Signs and what they usually mean
- A text before the new disposal visit
- Drop cloths, then cleanup
- Hums but does not spin: the flywheel is jammed by a bone, pit or utensil. Often cleared with the hex key underneath.
- Silent: the overload tripped. Push the small red reset under the unit. If that fails, check the switch and outlet.
- Leaks from the top: the sink flange putty or mounting gasket has failed.
- Leaks from the side: a loose dishwasher hose or drain elbow gasket.
- Leaks from the bottom or body: internal seals have failed. The unit needs replacing.
- Drains slowly: a clog in the drain line or trap beyond the disposal.
- Bad smell: scraps caught beneath the rubber guard or left in the chamber.
Freeing a jam safely
Turn the disposal switch off, and if the unit plugs in, unplug it. Never put a hand into the chamber. Fit the hex key into the center hole underneath and rock it both ways until the grinder spins without catching.
Use tongs to remove the object. Wait a few minutes, press reset, restore power and run water before switching on. If the unit jams again right away, something is wedged or the bearings are worn.
- Read the old labelNote the motor size and mount type.
- Check the outletPlug-in or hardwired under the sink.
- Dishwasher hoseNote if it connects to the disposal.
- Photo and textThe whole cabinet with the unit in view.
Replacing a disposal
When the unit is leaking from the body or the motor is failing, we replace it. We remove the old unit, clean the sink opening, set a new flange with fresh plumber's putty, mount the new unit, reconnect the drain elbow and the dishwasher hose, and wire it to the existing cord or switched outlet.
If the new unit uses a dishwasher connection, we knock out the plug inside the inlet first, a step that is easy to forget and causes the dishwasher to back up. Then we run water and test the dishwasher drain, checking every joint.
- Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM
- Closed Sunday
- Texts usually answered within the hour
We match the unit to your use. A larger motor handles tougher scraps and grinds finer, but a basic unit works for light use. Continuous-feed units are most common. Batch-feed units only run with the stopper in place, a safety plus for households with small kids.
What should not go in
Fats and grease, fibrous scraps like corn husks and celery, large bones, coffee grounds in quantity, eggshells in quantity, pasta and rice that swell, and anything non-food. Keep cold water running the whole time you grind, and for a bit after. Cold water keeps fats solid so they grind and flush instead of coating the pipes.
- Faucets, toilets and valves
- Traps and drain connections
- Water heaters on existing lines
- Disposals and supply lines
- Moving or adding pipe runs
- Sewer and main drain work
- Repiping and new gas lines
- Slab leaks
What is outside our scope
Adding an outlet or switch for the disposal, and clearing main line clogs that back up into several fixtures, are outside our scope. If you have a septic system, check that a disposal is suitable before installing.
- Hot-side shutoff valve
- Cold-side shutoff valve
- Flexible lines up to the faucet
- Trap that the disposal outlet drains into
- Wall drain the trap connects to
What to send
A photo of the unit under the sink showing the label, the drain and how it is powered. Text it to (310) 628-9399.
- Wide shotThe whole fixture and the space around it.
- Close-upLabels, model numbers, the leak or break.
- ConnectionsValves, pipes, wires or brackets.
- Send itText the photos with your cross street.
- Sink flange
- Mounting ring the unit twists onto
- Discharge outlet to the trap
- Dishwasher inlet
- Red reset button on the bottom
- Power cord or hardwired whip
Choosing a new disposal
Look at the mounting system first. Many disposals use a three-bolt or twist-lock mount, and staying with the same brand and mount can make the swap quicker. Compare how tall the new unit is with where the drain sits; a taller unit may require changing the trap height, which is fine as long as the trap arm still slopes correctly.
Stainless grinding parts resist corrosion. Sound insulation is a nice upgrade in open kitchens.
Odors and cleaning
Most smells come from the underside of the rubber splash guard. Remove it if it lifts out, or scrub under it with an old toothbrush. Grind ice cubes to knock buildup off the grinding plate, and flush with cold water. Avoid bleach and drain cleaners, which can damage seals.
Dishwasher connection
When a dishwasher drains through the disposal, a high loop or air gap keeps sink water out of the dishwasher. We check that loop every time we work on a disposal, because a missing loop can leave dirty water standing in the dishwasher.
Troubleshooting before you call
- A tenant can open
- Leave keys for the new disposal
If the disposal is dead, check the wall switch and the breaker, then press the reset button on the bottom. If it plugs in, check that the plug is seated. If it hums, use the hex key underneath to free the flywheel.
If water stands in the sink, the clog may be in the trap or drain line rather than the disposal. A few minutes of checks can save a visit, and if none work, you will have useful information to send with your photo.
Septic homes are less common in the valley, but if yours has one, check with the septic maker before installing a disposal, since ground food adds solids to the tank.
Noise and vibration
A disposal that rattles loudly may have a loose mount, a utensil inside or worn bearings. Tighten the mount ring, check for objects with tongs and the power off, and listen again. Persistent grinding noise with no objects inside points to worn internals.
Related guide: When to repair or replace a garbage disposal.
Photo checklist
- The label on the side of the disposal
- Under the sink: drain, dishwasher hose and power cord or wiring
- Where any water is dripping from
Questions we get
Is it worth repairing a leaking disposal?
A leak at the sink flange or hose connection is repairable. A leak from the unit body means internal failure and replacement.
Can you install a disposal where there was none?
If a switched outlet already exists under the sink, yes. If not, adding one is outside our scope.
How long does a replacement take?
Usually a short visit when connections are in good shape.
- No charge to quote
- Extra new disposal work? We ask
Can lemon peels clean the disposal?
Small amounts can freshen it, but they are not a cure for buildup. Cleaning under the splash guard does more.
Can a disposal handle shrimp shells or bones?
Small soft bones in small amounts, sometimes; large bones and shells strain the motor. Check your manual.
How do I unjam a disposal?
Turn off the power, insert a hex key into the socket on the bottom and turn it back and forth until it moves freely, then clear the chamber with tongs.
- We pick up new disposal parts
- Your pick of model
Can the new disposal use the old mount?
Often, if it uses the same mounting system and the flange is in good shape.
What should never go in a disposal?
Grease, fibrous peels in quantity, and anything that is not food.
Why does my disposal smell?
Food trapped under the rubber splash guard is the usual cause. Scrubbing the guard and running cold water clears most odors.
- Photos to (310) 628-9399
- Calls on the new disposal, Mon–Sat
Why does my disposal just hum?
Something is jamming the plate. With the power off, we free it from below with a hex key and clear what is stuck.
Why is my disposal leaking from the bottom?
A leak from the bottom usually means the inner seal has failed. That is not repairable, so we replace the unit.
Can I have a disposal with a septic system?
Many disposals are labeled septic-safe. Check with your septic service, then we can install one that suits it.
- English
- Mandarin
- Cantonese Chinese
Get a quote for garbage disposal repair and replacement
Text a photo and your cross street. Free estimates, and most texts are answered within the hour.
Good to fix along with the new disposal
While we work on the new disposal, we can also look at clogged sinks, drains and P-traps and dishwasher replacement. Problem turns out not to be the new disposal? Read faucet and toilet repair, under-sink water filters or swapping worn outlets and switches.
Repairs related to the new disposal
Service area for this job: West Covina, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Temple City, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Glendora.
Most disposals we see are InSinkErator; the InSinkErator repair page explains reset buttons and jams.