Faucet & Sink Repair
Drips, thin flow, stiff handles and leaking hose bibs, fixed at the fixture.
Fixtures and appliances
Emergency Garbage Disposal Repair in Peoria, AZ
A disposal that hums without turning, drips from the bottom or backs up the sink can halt a kitchen. Many faults are easy to fix, though some call for a new unit. If the unit is leaking into the cabinet, switch it off at the breaker and call the 24/7 line.
Turn off the power to the disposal before you reach into it or under it.
Common disposal problems
- Hums but does not spinThe motor is working, but something is stuck in the chamber.
- Dead and silentThe breaker, the reset button or the switch is the first place to look.
- Leaks from the housingA failed seal or a cracked housing means replacement.
A jam or a hum
A disposal that hums but does not turn is usually jammed. Turn off the switch and the breaker, then use the hex socket at the bottom of the unit with a wrench to free the flywheel. Never put your hand into the chamber.
Bones, fruit pits, utensils and stringy scraps are the usual jam makers. When the unit spins freely again, press the red reset button underneath and test it.
A dead unit
If the disposal makes no sound at all, check the reset button and the circuit breaker. A tripped reset is a sign that the motor overheated or jammed. If the unit trips repeatedly, the motor may be failing.
A switch or an outlet can also be the cause, so a plumber will test the power before condemning the unit.
In Peoria
What a disposal can and cannot handle
Grease is the enemy. It cools in the drain and forms a coating that catches debris. Scrape plates, run cold water while the unit runs and keep fats out of the sink.
Rental homes in Peoria and the nearby towns often have disposals of mixed age. If you rent, tell the landlord about the problem first and keep a record of the date.
Cost
What affects the price of disposal repair
Disposal work is priced by the cause. These factors matter most.
Ask the plumber to tell you whether the unit is worth repairing before you pay for the work.
Leaks and backups
A leak at the top flange, at the drain connection or from the bottom of the unit comes from different causes. The first two are often fixable with a new seal or connection. A leak from the housing itself means the unit has failed.
If the sink backs up when the disposal runs, the blockage may be in the drain line and not in the disposal. In that case, see drain cleaning.
Replacing a disposal
A new disposal is worth considering when the old one leaks from the body, has a burned-out motor or has been jammed repeatedly. Units differ in horsepower and in sound insulation, and the right size depends on how you cook.
Installation includes mounting the unit under the flange, connecting the drain and the dishwasher line and wiring it or plugging it in. A plumber should confirm the dishwasher knockout is open if there is a dishwasher.
Everyday use that prevents jams
Keep cold water running while the disposal works and for a little while after, so scraps clear the trap. Feed them in a few at a time instead of in one load.
Skip fibrous and starchy items such as celery, corn husks, potato peels and rice in large amounts, and keep grease out of the drain. Fat cools in the pipe and builds up, which slows the line even when the disposal itself is fine.
A humming sound with no grinding usually means the blades are stuck. Switch the unit off at the wall before reaching for the reset button on the bottom, and never put a hand into the chamber.
Permits, wiring and licensing
A hardwired disposal involves electrical work, so ask who handles it. Because a hardwired unit involves electrical work, ask who handles it, and check the plumber license at roc.az.gov.
Kitchen plumbing nearby
Drain Cleaning & Unclogging
Clear a stopped-up sink, tub, toilet or main drain and find what caused the stoppage.
Leak Detection
Track down hidden water loss using listening gear and thermal imaging, so only a small patch gets opened.
Common questions
Garbage disposal questions
It is usually jammed. Turn off the power and free the flywheel from the bottom with a hex wrench.
Leaks at the flange or fittings can often be repaired. A leak through the housing means the unit must be replaced.
Grease, bones, fibrous scraps, coffee grounds in large amounts and anything that is not food.
Calls are answered at all hours. Switch the unit off at the breaker if it is leaking or humming, then describe it on the phone. New installations are normally booked for daytime.
A leak into the cabinet can ruin the floor of the cabinet and spread. Switch off the power to the unit, close the sink supply if needed and call. A leak from the housing itself means the unit must be replaced.
It depends on the unit size and any wiring or plumbing changes. Ask for a clear quote that lists the unit and the labor.
Run the disposal and the dishwasher separately and watch for drips. The location narrows the part that needs fixing.
Disposal jammed or leaking?
Turn off the power to it, then call. Say what you see and the dispatcher takes it from there.