Garbage Disposal Repair
Chicago - humming, jammed or leaking?

Disposals produce three calls: it hums but does not turn, it does nothing at all, or it leaks. Each one points somewhere different, and only one of the three usually means the unit needs replacing.

A humming disposal is jammed, not dead. The motor is getting power and the impeller cannot move, usually because of a bone fragment, a fruit pit or a bottle cap. Clearing it takes minutes.

Leaks are the call that matters most. Water from the sink flange is a reseal; water from the bottom of the housing means the internal seal has gone and the unit is finished. We will not sell you a repair on a housing leak.

What actually fails

Jammed impeller. The most common call by far. A hard object wedges the grind ring. Clearing the obstruction and resetting the overload usually restores the unit completely, with no parts needed.

Tripped overload or failed switch. A dead disposal is often just a tripped reset button or a failed wall switch. This is why we check the simple things before quoting anything.

Sink flange seal. A leak at the top of the unit means the plumber's putty seal under the flange has failed. Resealing is a standard repair and saves the cabinet below.

Housing seal failure. Water from the bottom shell means the internal motor seal has failed. That unit cannot be repaired economically and we will recommend replacement instead.

Worn grind components. Rattling and poor grinding come from worn or broken impellers. On a good-quality unit these are replaceable; on a builder-grade one, replacement is cheaper.