Jammed, humming or leaking right now: what to do first
Cut the power
Switch off the wall switch, then turn off the breaker for the sink circuit if you can. Unplug the cord under the sink if it uses a plug. Never put a hand in the drain, even with the power off.
Free a humming jam
Insert the hex key that came with the unit into the center socket on the bottom and rock it back and forth until it turns freely. Then press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal.
Contain a leak
Place a bucket under the unit, stop the dishwasher and move cleaning supplies out of the cabinet. If water is steady, close the sink's supply stops or the main house valve.
Note the brand and horsepower
The label on the side gives the model and the horsepower. Photograph it so we can bring a matching seal, gasket or replacement.
Call (407) 964-8940 at any hour. Night and weekend jams and leaks are routine calls for us, and we dispatch whenever the schedule allows.
Why disposals jam, hum or go silent
A hum with no spin means the motor is getting power but the grinder plate is stuck. Common culprits are bones, fruit pits, a bottle cap or a spoon that slipped in. Once freed with a hex key, most units spin again, though a bent shredder ring can jam again soon.
Complete silence is different. That points to a tripped reset button, a dead wall switch, a loose wire in the junction box, or a burned-out motor. We test each of those with a meter before we call the unit bad.
Symptoms and what they usually point to
Use this table to describe what you hear and see when you call. It helps us bring the right parts.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jammed grinder plate | Free it with the hex key, reset |
| Dead, no sound | Tripped reset, bad switch or power loss | Reset, test power, replace switch |
| Water at the top of the unit | Worn sink flange seal or loose mounting | Reseat the flange with new putty or gasket |
| Water at the side | Loose dishwasher hose or drain pipe gasket | Tighten or replace the hose, clamp or gasket |
| Water at the bottom | Cracked housing or failed seal | Replace the unit |
| Slow drain after grinding | Clogged trap or kitchen line | Clear the line |
Where a disposal leaks, and how each leak gets fixed
Top flange and sink seal
Plumber's putty or a gasket under the sink flange dries out and cracks. We take the unit down, clean the sink opening, and reseat it with a new seal and mounting ring.
Dishwasher inlet and drain pipe
The dishwasher hose clamp can loosen from vibration. The elbow and discharge pipe also have rubber gaskets that fail. These are low-cost repairs when caught early.
Bottom seam
Water from the bottom or from a seam in the body means the housing or the internal seal has failed. A repair rarely holds, so replacement is the sound choice.
What should stay out of the disposal
Most calls we get trace back to a short list of items.
- Grease, fat and cooking oil, which coat the pipe walls and harden.
- Bones, fruit pits and corn cobs.
- Coffee grounds in large amounts.
- Pasta, rice and potato peels, which swell into paste.
- Fibrous scraps such as celery, onion skins and artichoke leaves.
- Eggshells, if the line has slow drainage already.
- Non-food items like bottle caps, utensils and glass.
- Harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can damage seals and splash back.
Replacing a disposal: horsepower, mounting and hookup
Most homes need a 1/2 or 3/4 horsepower unit, and a 1 horsepower model suits heavy use. Continuous-feed units run while the switch is on, and batch-feed models run only with the stopper in place. Both need a three-prong cord or hardwired connection and a drain trap that fits.
One classic mistake is skipping the dishwasher knockout. If the new unit has a plug on the dishwasher inlet and the plug is not removed, the dishwasher cannot drain. We check that during every install and test the cycle. If your sink also drips at the faucet, our faucet repair service can cover it in the same visit.
What disposal repair and replacement costs
Small repairs cost far less than a new unit, and the job size depends on what failed.
| Job | Typical ballpark |
|---|---|
| Clear a jam and reset | $100 to $200 |
| Reseat flange or replace gaskets | $150 to $300 |
| Install a 1/2 horsepower unit | $300 to $550 |
| Install a 3/4 to 1 horsepower unit | $400 to $700 |
- Repair vs replaceA hex-key jam clear is a short visit. A cracked housing means a new unit.
- Horsepower and brandA 3/4 or 1 horsepower model costs more than a 1/3 horsepower basic.
- Mounting and plumbingOdd sink flanges, old traps and corroded fittings add parts.
- WiringA new switch or cord adds time. Hardwiring adds more.
- TimingAfter-hours calls may carry extra charges, and we state them first.
Those are typical ballparks, and they change with the job. You hear the price clearly before work starts.
Sink backups and city sewer lines in Altamonte Springs
If the kitchen sink backs up and the bathroom tub or the toilet also gurgles, the trouble is not the disposal. It is in the main drain line. The city of Altamonte Springs runs the sewer system, and its after-hours sewer backup line is (407) 571-8686, with Sewer Collection at (407) 571-8533.
The city's pages we reviewed do not say who owns the sewer lateral, so ask the city when you call. We also help homes near Wekiva Springs in Longwood when the schedule allows. For a clog isolated to the kitchen, our drain cleaning team can clear it.
A disposal drain connects to the sink trap under the code Florida adopts from the International Plumbing Code (IPC), which is why the trap arm and dishwasher connection are checked on any new install.
What we do not handle with a disposal call
We do not rewire circuits or panels. If the breaker keeps tripping with the disposal unplugged, an electrician should look at the circuit. In rentals, call your property manager before work, since many of the city's 97 multifamily communities set rules for appliance repair.
For a clog that keeps returning despite a clean disposal, a longer run may need sewer line cleaning, which uses a different tool.
Garbage disposal questions
Yes. The 24/7 line at (407) 964-8940 takes disposal leaks and jams at any hour, and same-day appointments are offered when available. The price is stated before work starts.
The motor has power but the grinder plate is stuck. Turn off the switch, use the hex key in the bottom socket to free it, and press the red reset. If it hums again, call us.
Tightening a hose clamp or flange can work for small drips. A leak from the bottom or seam means the unit has failed, and replacement is the fix.
Many last about 8 to 15 years with careful use. Heavy grease, hard waste and chemical cleaners shorten that.
No. Harsh chemicals can corrode seals and splash back into your face. Run cold water and a short cycle, then call us if it stays slow.
If only the kitchen sink is slow, it can be either. If other fixtures gurgle or back up, call the city's after-hours sewer backup line at (407) 571-8686 and then us.