Jammed, humming, leaking or dead: what is wrong with the disposal
A garbage disposal is a small motor under the sink that turns a flywheel with two swinging impellers. It does not have blades like a blender. When something hard wedges the flywheel, the motor hums but cannot turn.
The four common complaints are a jam, a leak, a dead unit and a clogged sink. Each has a different cause, and the first check differs too. That is why the order of the steps below matters.
When a disposal problem cannot wait
A disposal is rarely life-threatening, but it can flood a cabinet or leave a kitchen sink unusable overnight. A steady leak under the unit, a sink full of standing water, or a unit that smells of burning needs a prompt visit. The first step is always to remove power and water.
Before you do anything else
Never put your hand into the disposal, even when it is off.
- Switch off the wall switch and unplug the unit, or turn off its breaker if it is hardwired.
- Stop using the kitchen sink and the dishwasher, since both drain through the same line.
- Place a bowl under any drip and move cleaning products out of the cabinet.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit once it has cooled for a few minutes.
- If the sink is full of water, call us instead of adding drain chemicals.
- Call the 24/7 line and tell us what the unit is doing.
Hum, jam and reset button
If the unit hums but does not spin, it is jammed. With power off, use a hex key in the socket at the bottom center of the disposal and turn it back and forth until the flywheel moves freely. Then press the red reset button and test with water running.
If the unit is silent and the reset button pops back out, the motor may have overheated or died. Repeated trips mean something else is wrong, such as a weak motor or a clogged drain downstream.
Leaks under the sink
A leak can come from three places: the top flange where the unit meets the sink, the side where the dishwasher hose or drain pipe connects, or the bottom through a cracked housing. Dry the unit, run water and watch where the first drop forms. A leak from the housing itself means replacement.
Flange and gasket leaks can be repaired by resetting the mounting ring with fresh putty or a new gasket. A drain-pipe leak is fixed by replacing the trap or the pipe washers. We show you the source before we start.
Why disposal problems look different in Royal Palm Beach
Palm Beach County Water Utilities provides both water and sewer to the Village, so the kitchen drain you use ends up in a county sewer system. That is a reason to treat grease and fibrous scraps carefully. Fat that cools in the line can cause trouble downstream and not only at your sink.
About 82 percent of Village homes are owner-occupied, so the call on repair versus replace is yours. A unit that is leaking from its housing is not worth fixing, while a jam is cheap to clear.
What not to put down the disposal
Grease, oil and fat
It cools and coats the drain line. Wipe pans into the trash first.
Fibrous scraps
Celery, corn husks, artichoke leaves and onion skins wrap around the impellers.
Bones and pits
Large bones, peach pits and avocado stones can jam the flywheel.
Starchy leftovers
Pasta, rice and potato peels swell and form paste in the trap.
Coffee grounds
They settle in the trap and clump with grease. Put them in the trash.
Non-food items
Bottle caps, utensils and glass will damage the unit or become the jam.
Repair or replace the disposal
| Situation | Usual answer | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jam, motor free after hex key | Repair | Flywheel was stuck, not worn |
| Leaks at flange or drain pipe | Repair | Seal or washer failed |
| Leaks from the housing | Replace | Casing is cracked |
| Motor dead after reset | Replace | Motor winding failed |
| Repeated jams on an old unit | Replace | Impellers or bearings worn |
| Unit works, sink drains slowly | Drain clearing | Blockage is past the unit |
Installing a new disposal
A new install starts with removing the old unit and its mounting ring, then setting the new flange and connecting the discharge pipe. The dishwasher drain connects at a knockout port on the side, which we open before the dishwasher hose goes on. Ask us about the horsepower and the noise level that suit your kitchen.
On the electrical side, the plumber handles the drain and mounting work and connects the new unit to the existing outlet or hardwired connection already in the cabinet. We do not offer electrician services, so a new circuit or switch is a job for a licensed electrician.
How we find and fix a disposal problem
- 1
Power off, then look
We cut power to the unit and inspect the flange, drain pipe and dishwasher connection for moisture.
- 2
Free or test the unit
We turn the flywheel by hand with a hex wrench and run water to see where it leaks.
- 3
Explain and price
You hear the repair and replacement choices and a clear price before work starts.
- 4
Repair and run test
After the work we run the unit with water, then the dishwasher drain, and check every joint dry.
A freed jam and a full replacement sit at opposite ends.
Repair or replacement
Clearing a jam takes less than installing a new unit.
Unit size and model
Higher horsepower and sound insulation change the cost of a replacement.
Drain and trap condition
Corroded or leaking pipes under the sink add parts and time.
Dishwasher connection
Reconnecting the dishwasher drain or adding an air gap adds a little work.
Time of the call
Nights and weekends need dispatch planning. The caller hears the price first.
We do not do electrical work, so a bad switch or tripped breaker is outside our scope. If a leak has soaked the cabinet, your homeowner's insurance may cover the damage, and your insurer decides. Call the 24/7 line and we will talk it through.
Call the 24/7 line. A licensed plumber can usually come the same day when available.
County sewer service
Kitchen drains here connect to PBCWUD sewer. If a clog goes beyond your sink, drain cleaning] can reach the branch line.
Sink fixtures nearby
A leaking faucet and a leaking disposal often share the same cabinet, so check both with faucet repair] in mind.
Nearby service
We also serve Wellington], a short drive southwest of the Village.
Sources and standards
Disposal drain connections and traps follow the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023), and the electrical hookup is a separate trade governed by its own code. Ask the Village of Royal Palm Beach building department at (561) 790-5128 if a new circuit is involved.
Royal Palm Beach garbage disposal questions
Do you handle garbage disposal emergencies at night or on weekends in Royal Palm Beach?
Yes. We answer 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. If your disposal is leaking or the sink is full of water, call and the dispatcher will tell you how to make it safe while a plumber is sent.
Why is my disposal humming but not spinning?
The flywheel is jammed. With power off, turn it with a hex key from underneath, then press the reset button.
Can I put coffee grounds and eggshells down the disposal?
Both are better in the trash. They collect in the trap and make paste with grease.
Can you replace my disposal and reconnect the dishwasher?
Yes. We install the new unit, open the dishwasher knockout, and connect the drain hose. The plumber does the drain side. Electrical changes beyond the existing outlet need an electrician.
How long does a garbage disposal last?
It depends on use, what goes down it and the model. We can tell you from the motor, bearings and impellers whether a repair is worth it.
Is it safe to use a disposal that leaks a little?
No. Small leaks rot cabinets and can reach the motor. Turn it off and call the 24/7 line.
Question not answered here? Call the 24/7 line at (561) 448-8545 and talk to a plumber.