Garbage Disposal Repair

Repairing a garbage disposal typically costs between $50 and $150, but the actual cost can vary widely depending on how bad the disposal is broken and what exactly needs to be fixed.

When a garbage disposal isn't working, it's usually best to not try and fix it yourself but instead to call a professional. A licensed plumber or an experienced appliance repair technician can sort out the problem and have the disposal working again in no time.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace a garbage disposal. If the unit has just a few minor issues—such as a clog, jam, or small leak—that can be fixed easily and inexpensively, it could make sense to repair those problems and keep the unit going. But if the disposal has more serious problems, like a burned-out motor, or if it frequently breaks down and needs a lot of servicing, then it could make more sense to replace it, especially since disposal units tend to be fairly affordable. And even if your current unit doesn't seem to be on its last legs, you should consider whether the newer models—even the baseline models—are more energy efficient and better performing than your current model.

A garbage disposal usually lives for about 10 to 15 years, depending on how it is used and maintained.

Resetting the disposal or clearing a jam is the easiest fix for a disposal problem. Before working on the disposal, make sure it's off by unplugging it from the electrical outlet or switching off the circuit breaker. Look for a reset button on the bottom of the unit and push it if your disposal has one. If it doesn't, or if pushing the reset button and clearing the obstruction still doesn't work, look for any visible jams or obstructions that can be taken out simply with a sturdy pair of tongs. If the blades are jammed but still able to turn a little, use a disposal wrench (or a pair of pliers will do in a pinch) to turn the motor's shaft in either direction until it breaks free of whatever is holding it. Again, use tongs to clear the insides, and don't forget to recheck for visible problems before flipping the switch to help the disposal find its zen once more.

The labor cost for installing a new garbage disposal usually runs from $150 to $350, but the fee can vary based on where you live, how complicated the installation might be, and the level of expertise the plumber brings to the job. This price range does not account for the actual garbage disposal unit, which will cost you more.

Hearing a hum but lacking the whir of revolving blades is often a sign that the disposal motor is receiving power but is jammed or stuck. It's not obvious at first, but a stuck motor is almost always due to some obstruction in the motor mechanism. Without power tools or hands that would put your fingers at risk, the best way to remove an obstruction without calling a repairman is to safely power the disposal down. Then, tilt it at an angle that puts the motor at the bottom so gravity can help dislodge whatever is stuck. If it remains stuck after several attempts, the motor may need a professional repair.

The regular maintenance of garbage disposals is a necessity, and plumbers recommend it highly. They also might posture a bit and say some rather silly things to really hit home the point that garbage disposals can be very dangerous if you don’t treat them with the appropriate level of respect. And you have to respect them, first and foremost, by not putting certain very obvious things inside them. Obvious, that is, if one has a decent grasp of what can and cannot go down a plumbing system.

A garbage disposal motor may be burned out if any of these signs are present: it will not turn on at all, it will hum or buzz without grinding, it will stink of burning electrical components, and it will have tripped the reset button or circuit breaker so many times that you have lost count. If you don't have a hex key and cannot get to the circuit panel for a reset, it may be better just to replace the unit than to replace the motor, if that is even possible.

Before anything else, always start with safety. Ensure that the garbage disposal is off. This can be accomplished by either using the switch to turn it off or by simply using the method most people opt for—unplugging the unit. If there were to be any visible obstructions, these would probably be seen with the naked eye. Because of this, always check the unit with a good, strong source of light. Obstructions should be visible in this manner. This next step is one where you ascertain whether the blades themselves are jammed. If they are, there are various tools you can use to attempt freeing them, from tongs to almost pliers to something that is effectively a very large screwdriver. After power restoration, the next test is to see if the unit is working again. You could also see about using some old coffee grounds to test it if you want to see if the disposal will work with something that is counterintuitive to its function.