A garbage disposal is easy to take for granted until it jams mid-cleanup, starts leaking under the sink, or quits with an ominous hum. Most disposal problems are quick for a plumber to sort out, and when a unit is truly done, a clean replacement gets your kitchen sink back in service the same visit. Northville Plumber Pros repairs and replaces disposals — and checks the drain underneath while we are at it.
Diagnosing a disposal that will not work
When a disposal stops, the cause is usually one of a few things. A unit that hums but does not spin is jammed. One that is completely dead has often tripped its reset button or lost power at the connection. A unit that runs but does not grind may have worn impellers. We diagnose which it is and fix the actual fault, whether that is clearing a jam safely, resetting and testing the circuit, or determining that the motor has reached the end.
Fixing leaks under the sink
A puddle in the cabinet is a common disposal call. Leaks show up in predictable places: the sink flange where the disposal mounts, the dishwasher hose connection, the drain outlet, or the bottom of the unit. The connection leaks are typically a straightforward repair — reseating the flange or replacing a gasket or hose. A leak coming from the body of the disposal itself, though, means the housing has failed and the unit should be replaced before it leaks again.
Installing a new disposal
When replacement is the right call, we remove the old unit, inspect and reseal the sink flange, mount the new disposal, and connect the drain and dishwasher lines cleanly. Then we run it with water to confirm it grinds smoothly and there are no leaks at any connection. If you bought your own unit, we are glad to install it and will mention up front if it is undersized for your household. A correctly mounted disposal runs quieter and lasts longer.
Protecting the drain below
A disposal is only as good as the drain it empties into. Years of grease and food debris can build up in the trap and branch line, so a disposal that keeps backing up may be pointing to a drain problem rather than the unit itself. We check the drain while we are there and let you know if the real fix is downstream. Keeping fats, oils, and grease out of the disposal protects both the unit and your pipes — the EPA’s advice on keeping grease out of your drains.
A small job, done properly
Disposal work is one of the everyday kitchen calls within our complete plumbing services, and it is the kind of thing we can often handle in a single, tidy visit. Whether yours is jammed, humming, leaking, or ready to be replaced, call Northville Plumber Pros and we will get your sink working again.
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