Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Englewood, CO
Garbage disposal repair fixes a unit that hums, jams, will not turn on or leaks under the sink. Installation replaces a failed unit or adds one to a kitchen that never had one. In Englewood, CO disposals and the kitchen drain behind them are closely linked, so we check both.
What to do before you call about a disposal
Several disposal problems have safe fixes. Always switch the disposal off at the wall first.
- Never put your hand into the disposal. Use tongs to remove visible objects.
- If it hums but will not turn, it is jammed. Many units have a hex socket under the center of the unit for freeing the flywheel with the wrench that came with it.
- Silent unit? Press the red reset button underneath it and check the breaker.
- If it is leaking, turn it off, put a bucket under it, and do not keep running water.
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaner into a disposal. It can damage the unit and burn whoever repairs it.
Common disposal problems and fixes
These are the usual failures and what they typically lead to.
| Problem | Likely cause | Usual outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Hums, will not spin | Jammed flywheel | Free the jam and check for damage. |
| No sound at all | Tripped reset, breaker or switch failure | Reset or repair the electrical supply. |
| Leaks from the top | Loose or failed sink flange seal | Reseal the flange. |
| Leaks from the bottom or body | Internal seal failure or corroded housing | Replace the unit. |
| Sink drains slowly with the disposal | Buildup in the drain line beyond it | Clear the kitchen drain line. |
Disposal humming and not spinning?
Switch it off right away so the motor does not burn out. Then call.
Grease, the disposal and Englewood's sewers
A disposal grinds food into small particles, but it does nothing to grease. South Englewood Sanitation District No. 1 asks residents to wipe fats, oils and grease into the trash and warns that bleach poured down a drain can harden grease. Grease that goes down a disposal cools and coats the kitchen drain line.
That is why many kitchen drain clogs blamed on the disposal are really grease in the line behind it. A kitchen line that keeps clogging needs cleaning, and a heavily coated line is a good candidate for hydro jetting.
The IPC (International Plumbing Code) allows a dishwasher to drain through the disposal, but the hose has to be set up so dirty water cannot siphon back into the dishwasher, usually with a high loop or an air gap fitting. Fibrous foods such as celery and corn husks, along with pasta, rice and coffee grounds, are also hard on disposals and drains. Running plenty of cold water during and after use helps carry particles through.
Repair or replace, and choosing a new unit
Jams, reset trips and loose flanges are simple repairs. A disposal leaking from its body has an internal failure and needs to be replaced. Most disposals last roughly 8 to 15 years, depending on use and build quality.
Replacement units differ mainly in motor size and grind chamber material. A larger motor handles tougher scraps and jams less often. Stainless steel grinding parts resist corrosion better. Most replacements take an hour or two and reuse the existing electrical connection if it is in good condition.
What affects the cost of disposal work
Disposal jobs are short, but these factors change the price.
Repair or replace
Freeing a jam or resealing a flange costs less than a new unit.
Unit size and quality
Larger motors and stainless grinding parts cost more but last longer.
Electrical condition
A switch or cord that needs work adds time, and some fixes need an electrician.
Drain condition
A clogged drain line behind the disposal is cleared separately.
Timing
A disposal problem can usually wait for a weekday visit.
Disposal repair and replacement are maintenance and are not covered by homeowners insurance. Water damage from a sudden leak may be.
Want a real number for your disposal? Call (303) 552-3896, day or night.
Garbage disposal questions in Englewood
The flywheel is jammed, usually by a hard object or packed food. Turn the unit off, remove anything visible with tongs, and use the hex wrench under the unit to free it, or call us.
No. The grease cools further down the line and builds up. The local sanitation district asks residents to wipe grease into the trash.
Roughly 8 to 15 years depending on quality and use. A unit leaking from its body is at the end of its life.
Often yes, if there is room under the sink and a way to provide power. We check the drain layout and electrical options first.
Yes. We coordinate access with tenants and send the invoice to the owner or property manager.
Disposal service in Englewood and nearby
We repair and install disposals across ZIP codes 80110 and 80113, in houses, condos and apartment kitchens. Homes and townhomes in nearby Greenwood Village often have larger kitchens with higher-capacity units that we service the same way.
If the sink itself or its faucet is part of the problem, see our faucet and sink repair page.