Pipes and fixtures
Garbage disposal repair and replacement
A disposal that hums but won't spin is jammed, and one that is silent has usually tripped its reset button or lost power. Both are often fixed in minutes. A disposal leaking from the bottom of the unit has a failed internal seal and needs to be replaced.
- Independent licensed local plumbers
- The plumber gives you a price before work starts
- Free referral, no obligation
Start with the two fixes built into nearly every disposal. With the switch off, press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. If it hums without turning, switch it off and work the flywheel back and forth with a hex key in the socket at the center of the underside (most units take a 1/4-inch key) until it turns freely, then press reset and try again. Never reach into the chamber with your hand.
Where a leak shows up tells you what failed. Water at the top, where the disposal meets the sink, means the mounting flange or its putty seal. Water at the side comes from the dishwasher hose or the drain elbow connection. Water dripping from the bottom of the housing means the internal seals are gone; that isn't repairable, and replacement is the fix. A new disposal is also a good moment to deal with a slow kitchen line, which usually needs drain cleaning rather than a stronger motor.
Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement at a glance
- Service
- Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement
- Category
- Pipes and fixtures
- Availability
- Scheduled and same-day visits, depending on local availability
- Service area
- Requests accepted from all 50 states and Washington, DC; availability depends on the pros near your ZIP code
- Also called
- garbage disposal replacement, disposal installation, garbage disposer repair
- First thing to try
- Reset button, then a hex key in the bottom of the unit
- Cost
- Quoted on site by the pro before work starts; see cost factors below
Signs you need garbage disposal repair and replacement
- The disposal hums but does not grind
- Nothing happens when you flip the switch
- Water under the sink or dripping from the unit
- Grinding takes much longer than it used to
- The reset button trips repeatedly
What the pro does, step by step
- 1
Diagnose
The plumber checks power, the reset, the flywheel, the mounting flange and every hose and drain connection.
- 2
Clear or repair
Jams are cleared, leaking connections resealed and worn gaskets or the flange replaced.
- 3
Or replace
A failed unit is swapped for a new one sized to the household, with the dishwasher knockout and drain connections set up correctly.
- 4
Test
The unit is run under water and every joint checked for leaks.
What affects the cost of garbage disposal repair and replacement
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Clearing a jam versus replacing the unit
- Motor size and grade of the new disposal
- Whether an outlet or switch has to be added
- Reworking the drain or dishwasher connection
- A slow kitchen drain that also needs cleaning
What you can safely do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit
- Free a jam with a hex key from underneath, with the switch off
- Check the breaker and the plug under the sink
- Tighten a loose dishwasher hose clamp
Stop and call a pro
- Never put your hand in the disposal
- Water leaking from the bottom of the unit
- A burning smell or a breaker that trips again
- Hardwired units if you are not comfortable with electrical work
Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement FAQ
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?
The motor is getting power but the flywheel is jammed, usually by a bone, pit, bottle cap or utensil. Turn it off, free the flywheel with a hex key from underneath, press the reset button and try again.
Why is my garbage disposal leaking from the bottom?
The seals inside the unit have worn out. Internal seals are not serviceable, so a disposal leaking from the bottom of its housing needs to be replaced.
How long does a garbage disposal last?
Often around 10 years, less with heavy use. Frequent jams, slow grinding and leaks are signs it is near the end.
What should not go down a garbage disposal?
Grease and oil, fibrous foods such as celery and corn husks, coffee grounds in quantity, pasta and rice, bones and fruit pits. Most of these cause clogs in the drain line rather than damage to the disposal itself.
Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement by location
Local water, housing and permit rules change what this job involves. Find local conditions for your area:
Somewhere else? Browse plumbing conditions in all 50 states.
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Hydro Jetting
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Learn moreGet garbage disposal repair and replacement help now
Call (888) 555-0142 to reach an available local pro, or request service online.