Disposal trouble: what the symptom tells you
Most disposal calls follow a few patterns. The chart below shows the usual cause behind each one, so you can describe it clearly on the phone. We still check the unit in person before recommending a repair or replacement.
| What you notice | Likely cause | Usual outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Hums, no spin | Jammed flywheel | Clear jam, test |
| Silent, no hum | Tripped reset or dead motor | Reset or replace |
| Leaks from the bottom | Cracked housing or failed seal | Replace unit |
| Leaks at the top ring | Loose or worn mounting seal | Reseat or replace seal |
| Sink will not drain | Clog past the disposal | Clear the line |
What to do right now with a failing disposal
Turn off the wall switch. If you can reach the plug under the sink, unplug it, or switch off the breaker. Never put your fingers or a tool into the opening while the unit is connected to power, because the blades can move without warning.
If it is leaking, empty the cabinet and put a bowl under the drip. Close the two small shutoff valves under the sink if the faucet is also leaking. Then Call (630) 822-9290 and describe what you see and hear.
Safe steps while you wait
- Switch off the disposal and unplug it or shut off its breaker.
- Do not reach into the opening with your hand.
- Empty the cabinet under the sink and catch drips.
- Do not run the faucet if the sink is filling.
- Do not pour drain cleaner into a jammed unit.
Jammed or humming disposal
A hum without movement means something has wedged the flywheel, such as a bone, fruit pit, bottle cap or a spoon. Many units have a hex socket on the underside. A plumber turns it by hand to free the jam once the power is off.
If the motor has burned out from repeated jams, a new unit is the sound choice. We can usually tell from the sound and the age. Ask us when you call, and (630) 822-9290 if the unit is more than a decade old.
Leaking disposal
A leak at the sink flange, the drain pipe connection or the body of the disposal each calls for a different fix. Flange and pipe leaks are often repairs. A leak coming from the underside of the housing means the casing has failed, and the unit has to be replaced.
Do not leave a leaking disposal running, since moisture inside the cabinet quickly rots particleboard and can grow mold. We dry the area and trace the water before recommending anything.
Replacing or installing a disposal
When replacement is the answer, we remove the old unit, fit a new mounting assembly, connect the drain and the dishwasher line if there is one, and test it under water. Tell us whether you want the same horsepower or a different size. We will confirm that the new unit works with the sink and the power connection.
Bring up the dishwasher when you call. The knockout plug inside the disposal inlet has to be removed for the dishwasher drain to connect, and it is easy to forget on a new unit.
Disposals are installed according to the maker's instructions, which are the standard for mounting, drain connections and the dishwasher knockout. If there is no outlet under the sink, the wiring falls under the 2020 National Electrical Code the Village has adopted, so that part is a job for an electrician.
When the clog is past the disposal
If the sink holds water even though the disposal runs, the blockage is in the trap or branch line. Grease, coffee grounds, pasta and fibrous scraps are common causes. That is a drain cleaning job, and we can usually do it at the same visit.
When the kitchen sink and a basement drain back up together, the problem is likely further along in the system. Our sewer line cleaning service covers that case.
What changes the price of a disposal job
We give you the price by phone before work starts, and again once the plumber has seen the unit. You choose whether to repair or replace, and you can (630) 822-9290 with questions at any point.
Habits that shorten a disposal's life
Run cold water before, during and for a short time after grinding. Feed small amounts at a time. Keep grease, coffee grounds, eggshells in bulk, potato peels, pasta, rice and fibrous vegetables like celery out of the unit. Food debris and grease build up in the trap over time, even when the unit itself is fine.
If the faucet over the same sink is dripping, our faucet repair service can handle it on the same visit. (630) 822-9290 to ask about combining the work.
Yes. Our line is open 24/7. If your disposal is leaking or the sink is flooding, call and we will schedule a plumber right away.
Switch off the disposal and unplug it or shut off the breaker. Do not put your hand in the opening, and empty the cabinet if there is a leak.
Something has jammed the flywheel. A plumber frees it by hand once the power is off.
No. Leaks at the flange or drain pipe are often repairable. A cracked housing means a new unit.
Yes. We install customer-supplied units and connect the dishwasher drain if needed.
The clog is past the disposal, in the trap or branch line. Call for a drain cleaning visit.
We advise against it. The chemicals sit in the unit and can splash on whoever works on it next.
Yes, licensed and insured.
Call for a disposal repair in Hoffman Estates
Call (630) 822-9290 with the make if you can read it, what the unit does and whether it is leaking. We serve Hoffman Estates ZIP codes 60169, 60192, 60179 and 60195. If the cabinet floor is already soaked, say so, and we will treat the visit as urgent.