Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation

A garbage disposal that suddenly stops working can make it difficult to use your kitchen sink, wash dishes, or run the dishwasher. You may hear a humming sound without grinding, notice water leaking under the sink, or find that water drains much more slowly than usual.

Ritz Plumbing provides garbage disposal repair and installation for homeowners, landlords, and property managers throughout Los Angeles. We can troubleshoot problems with an existing unit, determine whether replacement is a better option, or install a new garbage disposal as part of a kitchen upgrade or remodel.

Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Repair

Some disposal problems appear suddenly, while others develop gradually. It may be time to call a plumber if you notice:

• Garbage disposal not working when you flip the switch
• Garbage disposal humming without grinding
• Garbage disposal won’t turn on after pressing the reset button
• Garbage disposal leaking underneath the kitchen sink
• Garbage disposal clogged with food or debris
• Garbage disposal jammed and unable to rotate
• Garbage disposal backing up into the sink
• Garbage disposal draining slowly
• Unusual grinding, rattling, or other noises
• Persistent odors coming from the disposal or drain

These symptoms don’t always reveal exactly where the problem is. A slow-draining sink, for example, may have a blockage farther down the drain rather than a problem inside the disposal.

Our guide to why your kitchen sink drains slowly covers other potential causes of sluggish kitchen drains.

Common Garbage Disposal Problems

For garbage disposal repair in Los Angeles, a plumber can inspect the disposal, its mounting assembly, drain connections, and surrounding kitchen sink plumbing to determine the cause.

Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Working

A disposal that hums when you turn it on is receiving power, but something may be preventing the motor or grinding components from moving properly.

Hard objects, excess food waste, or other material can jam the disposal and prevent it from operating properly. Depending on the cause and the unit’s condition, you may be able to repair a broken garbage disposal without replacing the entire unit.

Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On

A disposal that is completely silent may have lost electrical power, tripped its overload protection, or developed an internal problem.

Some disposals have a garbage disposal reset button on the bottom of the unit. If resetting the disposal doesn’t solve the problem, you may need further troubleshooting to determine whether the issue involves the disposal itself or its electrical supply.

Leaking Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal under sink leak can originate from several places, including:

• The sink flange and mounting assembly
• The disposal’s drain connection
• The dishwasher connection
• Loose or damaged plumbing fittings
• The disposal housing

Leaking garbage disposal repair may be possible when the problem involves a loose fitting or connection, while damage to the disposal body may make replacement the more practical option. Addressing leaks promptly can also help prevent moisture from damaging the sink cabinet and surrounding materials.

Clogged or Jammed Garbage Disposal

Food waste and foreign objects can interfere with the disposal or contribute to a clogged drain. Putting large amounts of food into the disposal at once can make the problem worse. Grease and certain food scraps can also collect farther down the kitchen drain.

If the jam or clog won’t clear, you may need kitchen garbage disposal repair to determine whether the problem is inside the unit or farther down the drain.

Our guide to common causes of clogged drains explains how everyday materials can contribute to plumbing blockages.

Garbage Disposal Backing Up

When water comes back into the sink instead of flowing down the drain, the disposal may not be the only problem. A blockage can develop in the trap or farther down the drain line, and repairing the disposal will not fix a clog elsewhere in the plumbing.

Repeated backups may indicate a larger drain problem that needs attention. Learn more about preventing sewer backups in your home. If the problem extends beyond the disposal, we also provide professional drain repair.

Should You Repair or Replace a Garbage Disposal?

Not every malfunction requires a new unit. The problem, the disposal’s condition, and the cost of repair can help determine whether repair or replacement makes more sense.