Garbage Disposal Repair & Replacement in Fort Wayne, IN

Quick checks first

• It does nothing at all: press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit, then check the breaker and the wall switch. Some disposals plug into an outlet under the sink, which may be on a GFCI.
• It hums but does not spin: the flywheel is jammed. With the power off at the switch and breaker, insert a hex wrench into the socket on the bottom center and work it back and forth to free it, then remove what jammed it with tongs, never your hand.
• It drains slowly: the clog may be in the disposal or in the drain line past it. See drain cleaning.

Leaks

• At the top, where it meets the sink: the sink flange's plumber's putty or gasket has failed, or the mounting ring has loosened.
• At the side connection: the dishwasher hose or the drain elbow gasket.
• From the bottom of the unit: the internal seals have failed. That usually means replacement.

Repair or replace?

Many disposals last about 10 years. A unit that leaks from the body, jams constantly, trips the reset button again and again, or grinds poorly is usually better replaced. Choosing the same size and mounting style makes swapping easier; a different model may need a new mount and drain fitting.

Disposals and septic systems

Many homes outside the city sewer, around Grabill, Churubusco and other rural parts of the area, are on septic systems. A disposal adds solids to the tank, which means more frequent pumping. If you are on septic, ask about models built for septic use and use the disposal sparingly.

What not to put down the disposal

• Grease, oil and fat, which harden in the pipe.
• Fibrous scraps like celery, corn husks, onion skins and artichokes, which wrap around the impeller.
• Coffee grounds and eggshells, which settle into sludge in the drain line.
• Pasta, rice and bread, which swell.
• Bones, fruit pits and anything that is not food.

Run cold water before, during and for several seconds after grinding.

Sources: EPA WaterSense, Statistics and Facts.