Garbage Disposal Repair in Durham, NC

Where it leaks tells you a lot

• At the sink opening: the mounting ring has loosened or the putty seal has dried out.
• At a side connection: the dishwasher hose or the discharge elbow needs tightening or a new gasket.
• From the bottom of the housing: an internal seal has given out, and replacement is the usual answer.

A disposal that runs normally while the sink drains slowly points to a clog in the trap or the pipe past it, which is a drain cleaning job rather than a disposal repair.

Clearing a jam safely

1. Turn the wall switch off and unplug the unit or shut off its breaker. Never reach into the grinding chamber.
2. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal.
3. For a hum with no spin, fit the hex wrench into the socket at the center of the underside and rock it until the plates turn freely.
4. Restore power, start cold water, then switch the unit on.

Skip chemical drain cleaners. They can damage the unit and leave caustic water in the sink for whoever opens the plumbing next.

Grease and the City's sewer

Durham has traced sewer spills to grease blockages in its mains, and the City runs a Fats, Oils and Grease program to teach residents how to dispose of grease properly. It also says only water, human waste and toilet paper are permitted into the sewer system. A disposal grinds food, but it does nothing to stop grease from hardening farther down the pipe.

• Pour cooled grease into a can and put it in the trash once it sets
• Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing
• Go easy on fibrous peels, coffee grounds, rice and pasta
• Run cold water while grinding and for a few seconds after

Repair or a new unit

Jams, a tripped reset, a loose mount and a leaking hose joint are all fixable. A cracked or leaking housing, a motor that stays dead after a reset, or a unit that jams constantly is usually better replaced. Ask whether a replacement needs a plumbing permit from Durham City-County Building & Safety.

What affects the cost

The biggest factors are whether you need a quick unjam or a new disposal, the size and model chosen, any electrical work at the switch or outlet, a clog beyond the unit, and the dishwasher hookup.