Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Columbia, SC
Humming means a jam, silence means a tripped reset or breaker, and a puddle means a seal or housing has failed. Each has a quick, safe first step.
- Jams and humming
- Leak repair
- New disposal installs
What to do when the disposal jams: safety steps
Never put a hand into a disposal, even when the switch is off. Use these steps instead.
- Switch off the wall switch and the breaker. Remove the power before anything else.
- Use the hex wrench socket. Most disposals have a hex socket at the bottom. Turn it back and forth to free the jam.
- Remove debris with tongs. Use tongs or pliers to lift out what you see.
- Press the red reset button. It is on the bottom. It trips when the motor overheats.
- Restore power and test. Run cold water and flip the switch.
What each symptom means
The sound and the location of water point to the fault.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hums and does not spin | Jammed flywheel | Hex wrench, then reset |
| Silent | Tripped reset or breaker | Reset, then check the outlet |
| Leaks from the top | Failed flange seal or putty | Reseat the flange |
| Leaks from the side or bottom | Cracked housing or failed internal seal | Replacement |
| Bad smell | Food buildup in the chamber | Clean, and check the drain |
Disposal jammed or leaking?
Switch off the power and call. Do not put a hand in the opening.
Repair or replace
A disposal commonly lasts eight to twelve years. A jam or a flange seal is worth fixing. A leak from the body or a seized motor means replacement. Choose horsepower by how you use it: one-third for light use, one-half for most kitchens, three-quarters for heavy use.
A new unit should include a power cord kit if the old one was hard-wired, and a new dishwasher knockout plug removed only when a dishwasher connects to it.
The dishwasher connection
The dishwasher drain connects to the disposal or to a branch of the sink drain. A high loop or an air gap stops dirty sink water from siphoning back into the dishwasher, and the International Plumbing Code (IPC) calls for that protection. If dishwasher water backs into the sink, a clogged disposal inlet or a blocked kitchen drain is the cause.
Septic and disposals
Some outlying properties in Lexington County and around Lake Murray are on septic systems, not city sewer. A disposal adds solids to a septic tank. Check with a septic professional before adding one, and avoid putting grease and fibrous food through it either way.
Care routine that makes a disposal last
A few habits add years to a disposal.
- Run cold water before, during and after. Cold keeps fats solid so they flush through.
- Feed small amounts. Large scraps and fibrous food jam the blades.
- Grind ice occasionally. It cleans the chamber walls.
- Skip grease and starch bulk. Rice, pasta and potato peels can turn to paste.
The dishwasher knockout plug
New disposals come with a knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. If the dishwasher connects to the disposal, the plug must be removed or the dishwasher will not drain. A dishwasher that suddenly backs up after a new disposal install is almost always this plug.
Noise, vibration and smells: what they usually mean
A grinding or rattling sound is usually a foreign object, such as a bottle cap or a piece of silverware. Switch off the power and remove it with tongs. A loud hum while it runs normally can mean worn bearings, and a unit that shakes the sink may have a loose mounting ring.
A lingering smell comes from food stuck in the chamber or the splash guard. Grinding ice and citrus peel, then flushing with cold water, usually clears it. If the odor persists, the problem may be further down the kitchen drain.
Disposals, sewer and septic across two counties
Houses inside the city of Columbia are on public sewer, and Columbia Water bills for it. Some properties in Lexington County use septic, where a disposal adds solids. Check your bill before choosing a disposal, and a septic contractor can tell you how it will affect pumping.
Sizes and ratings worth knowing
A kitchen sink drain is 1.5 inches in diameter, and most household disposals run from one-third to three-quarters horsepower. A half-horsepower unit suits most kitchens. Sound insulation and a stainless grinding chamber add cost but also years of life.
Disposal jams after cookouts and game days
Home games at Williams-Brice Stadium, at George Rogers Boulevard and Bluff Road, fill kitchens across the city with cookout leftovers. Peels, bones and grease are what jam a disposal and then back up the sink.
Check the reset button on the bottom and try freeing the impeller before you replace the unit. A disposal that hums but does not turn is usually jammed and not dead.
What changes the price of disposal work
Disposal work is priced by repair type and the unit chosen.
Insurance does not cover wear. Check the manufacturer warranty, since some disposals carry long coverage.
Want your real number? Call (844) 981-1691 and mention repair or replacement and horsepower and features.
Where a disposal problem can lead
A sink that leaks underneath may be a faucet and sink issue. A drain that clogs even with a working disposal needs a camera look, which sewer line repair explains.
Garbage disposal questions
It is jammed. Turn the hex socket at the bottom with the power off to free it.
Grease, fibrous scraps like celery, coffee grounds in volume and bones. They clog drains or jam the unit.
Many do. Wiring and leak-free sealing are where mistakes happen.
Often eight to twelve years.