Emergency Garbage Disposal Repair in Hanahan, SC

Humming, silent, or running without grinding: what each symptom means

A humming disposal with no spinning means the flywheel is jammed and the motor is trying to turn. A silent disposal with no hum usually means a tripped overload or no power. A disposal that runs but does not grind has lost its impellers or flywheel connection.

A hum is the classic jam. Cut the power, shine a light in, and remove what you can with tongs. Most units have a hex socket at the center bottom where a wrench turns the flywheel by hand, which frees many jams. Then press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit and test with water running.

Jam, leak or hum: a quick diagnosis

Match what you see and hear to the likely cause.

A leak from the body of the unit cannot be sealed. Plan on replacement.

Reset button and the safe un-jam routine

The one thing a homeowner can try, and only with the power off.

1. 1

   Power off

   Wall switch off, then unplug the unit or turn off the breaker.

2. 2

   Look with a light

   Look down the drain for a bottle cap, bone, utensil or fruit pit.

3. 3

   Remove with tongs

   Use long-handled tongs or pliers, not fingers.

4. 4

   Turn the flywheel

   Insert a hex wrench in the bottom center socket and work it back and forth until it spins freely.

5. 5

   Reset and test

   Press the red button on the bottom, restore power, run cold water and test.

When the sink drain is the real problem

A disposal shares its trap and drain line with the kitchen sink, and often with the dishwasher. A clog downstream looks like a bad disposal: water backs up when it runs, or it gurgles and the sink fills. Before you replace a working unit, rule out the drain.

Greasy water, starchy foods and coffee grounds build up in kitchen drains. Our drain cleaning service clears the line when water backs up past the disposal. Rivers Avenue is Hanahan's main commercial strip, and commercial kitchens along it are a different job from a home sink, which our commercial plumbing work covers.

Dishwasher drain connection: the overlooked cause

The dishwasher drain hose connects to a small inlet on the side of the disposal. On a new disposal, that inlet has a plastic knockout plug that must be punched out. If it is left in place, the dishwasher cannot drain, and dirty water sits in the tub. It is a common installation mistake and an easy fix.

A leak at that fitting is often just a loose clamp or a worn hose. If the hose is kinked or has no high loop under the counter, drain water can flow back. We check the connection each time we work on a disposal.

Repair or replace: how we decide

A jam, a tripped overload, a loose flange or a worn hose are repairs. A leak from the body, a seized motor, a noisy bearing or a unit that has been replaced several times in a decade are replacements. Disposals commonly last about 8 to 15 years, and an old budget model costs little compared with repeated service calls.

Horsepower matters. A one-half horsepower unit is fine for light use, while three-quarter or one horsepower units handle larger households and tougher scraps. We recommend a size and tell you what the new mounting and electrical work will take.

Installation basics: what a replacement involves

A swap on the same sink takes a short visit when the old mount is sound.

1. 1

   Power and water off

   Unplug or switch off the breaker, and clear the cabinet under the sink.

2. 2

   Disconnect the old unit

   Detach the discharge pipe and dishwasher hose, then twist the unit off the mounting ring.

3. 3

   Check the sink flange

   Clean the old putty, and reseat the flange with fresh plumber's putty if it is leaking.

4. 4

   Mount and wire

   Attach the new unit, connect the power cord or hardwire per its instructions, and punch out the dishwasher knockout if used.

5. 5

   Reconnect and test

   Attach the discharge pipe and hose, run water, check every joint for leaks, and test the reset.

What not to put down a disposal

These cause most jams and clogs.

• Grease, oil and fat, which cool and coat the drain.
• Coffee grounds, eggshells in quantity and rice or pasta that swell.
• Bones, fruit pits and corn husks.
• Fibrous scraps like celery and onion skins in large amounts.
• Non-food items such as bottle caps, utensils and sponges.
• Chemical drain cleaners, which can damage seals and are hard on pipes.

Run cold water for several seconds before and after you use it.

Serving Hanahan and nearby kitchens

We serve Hanahan and neighboring towns. We also serve Goose Creek and North Charleston for the same repairs. If the problem goes past the sink, a persistent backup may involve sewer line cleaning. Confirm which utility serves your street for sewer issues, since the City Public Works page lists Berkeley County Sanitation.