Garbage disposal repair in Stafford, VA
Humming, jammed, leaking or draining slowly. We find the cause and get the sink working again.
Swift and Reliable
Straight answers
A garbage disposal is a motor, a spinning plate with swivel impellers and a fixed grind ring, all mounted under your sink. When it hums but won’t turn, something is usually wedged between the plate and the ring. When it makes no sound at all, it’s often the reset button, the wall switch or the wiring.
We clear jams, fix leaks at the sink flange and connections, and trace slow drains that start at the disposal or the trap. We also check the dishwasher connection, since the dishwasher often drains through it.
If it’s worn out, we’ll tell you plainly that replacing it is the better value.
Book a garbage disposal repair
- Arrival windowWe text when we're 30 minutes out.
- A price before any work startsYou decide whether to go ahead.
Common problems
What goes wrong with a garbage disposal, and what we check
-
Disposal hums but won't spin
What we check
Usually a jam between the turntable and the grind ring. We free it from below with a hex key, clear the debris, then confirm the motor still starts on its own.
-
Disposal makes no sound
What we check
We check the reset button on the bottom of the unit, the wall switch or air switch, the outlet or hardwired connection, and the breaker.
-
Leaking under the sink
What we check
We trace the leak to the sink flange, the dishwasher inlet, the drain outlet gasket or the body of the unit. A leak from the bottom or body means the internal seals have failed.
-
Sink drains slowly
What we check
We check for a clog in the trap or drain line past the disposal, a worn grind ring that leaves food too coarse, and grease buildup.
-
Reset button keeps tripping
What we check
We check for jams, overloading and a motor drawing too much current. Frequent trips on an unjammed unit usually mean the motor is wearing out.
-
Loud metal rattling
What we check
A spoon, bottle cap or bone is usually inside. We remove it with the power off, then check the turntable, impellers and mounting for damage or looseness.
Straight answers
Is it worth fixing?
Most garbage disposals last about 8 to 15 years, depending on the motor and how hard they’re used. Jams, reset trips, wiring faults and leaks at the flange or connections are worth fixing.
A disposal is one appliance where replacing it is often the better call. If the motor has failed, the internal seals are leaking or the grind chamber is corroded, the repair usually costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit. In that case, replacing it makes more sense than patching it.
Brands we service
- GE
- InSinkErator
- Kenmore
- Waste King
- Whirlpool
Don't see yours? Tell us the make and model when you book and we'll confirm before we come out.
How a visit works
From booking to a working garbage disposal
-
Book
Pick a time online or call. You get an arrival window and a text when we are 30 minutes out.
-
Diagnose
We test the appliance, find what failed and give you a price before any work starts.
-
Fix
We repair it on the spot when we have the part. If it has to be ordered, we tell you when we will be back.
-
Covered by warranty
The parts we fit and the work we do are covered by our warranty.
Before we arrivePlease clear out the cabinet under the sink so we can reach the disposal, drain and wiring. Don't put your hand into the disposal to clear a jam, even with the power off.
What it costsIf the unit needs replacing rather than repair, we'll explain why and give you a price before any work starts.
FAQ
Garbage disposal repair questions
Still have a question? Call (540) 922-7111
How do I reset my garbage disposal?
Turn the switch off first. Find the small red or black button on the bottom of the unit, press it firmly until it clicks, then wait a minute and try the switch again.
If it trips again or only hums, it’s probably jammed. Turn the hex socket in the center of the bottom back and forth with the wrench that came with it (often 1/4 inch) until it moves freely.
What shouldn't go down a garbage disposal?
Keep out grease and cooking oil, which coat the pipes and harden. Fibrous scraps like celery, corn husks and onion skins wrap around the turntable, and pasta, rice and coffee grounds pack into a paste that clogs the trap.
Run cold water before, during and for a few seconds after grinding, so any fat stays solid and gets carried away.
Why does my garbage disposal smell?
Food residue builds up under the rubber splash guard and on the walls of the grind chamber. Scrub under the splash guard with an old toothbrush and dish soap, then grind a handful of ice to scour the chamber.
If the dishwasher smells too, the shared drain or a missing high loop on the dishwasher hose may be the cause.
Related repairs
We fix these too
Dishwasher repair
Standing water, dirty dishes or a leak under the door. We find the fault and get it cleaning again.
Trash compactor repair
Won't run, won't compact or the drawer is stuck. Built-in and freestanding compactors.
Refrigerator repair
Not cooling, leaking or icing up. We find the cause and keep your food safe.
Something stopped working? We'll take a look.
Book online in a couple of minutes, or call and speak to the team.