Garbage Disposal Repair in McKinney, TX

Safety before anything else

The disposal hums but doesn't grind

This almost always means the grinding plate is jammed, often by a fruit pit, bone, utensil or bottle cap.

1. Switch off the power to the disposal.
2. Look under the unit for a small hexagonal socket in the center of the bottom. Most disposals come with an Allen wrench (hex key) that fits it, often a quarter inch.
3. Work the wrench back and forth until the plate turns freely a full circle.
4. Remove the object with tongs from above.
5. Press the red reset button on the bottom, restore power, run cold water and test.

If you don't have a hex socket, some units can be freed from above with a disposal wrench or a wooden broom handle pushed against the impeller, with the power off.

The disposal is completely silent

• Reset button: the motor has a thermal overload that trips if it overheats or jams. Press the red button on the bottom of the unit. If it won't stay in, let the unit cool for 10 to 15 minutes and try again.
• Breaker or GFCI outlet: check the panel and any GFCI outlet under the sink or nearby.
• Plug: confirm the unit is plugged in if it has a cord.
• Wall switch: switches can fail too.

If it still won't run after these checks, the motor or wiring may have failed.

The disposal leaks

Dry the unit and put a bowl or towel underneath, then fill the sink with a little water and watch where it drips:

• From the top, where it meets the sink: the sink flange's plumber's putty seal or mounting assembly has loosened. Often fixable by re-sealing.
• From the side, at the dishwasher hose connection or the drain pipe: tighten the clamp or connection, or replace the gasket.
• From the bottom or body of the unit: the internal seals have failed or the housing has corroded. This usually means replacement.

Slow draining or water backing up into the sink

• The disposal is packed with food waste; run it longer with plenty of cold water.
• The drain line or P-trap beyond the disposal is clogged, often with starchy or fibrous food and grease. See clogged drain.
• On a double sink, water coming up the other side points to a clog below where the two sides join.

Bad smells

Food particles get trapped under the splash guard and on the grinding chamber walls. Clean the underside of the rubber splash guard with an old toothbrush and dish soap, and grind a handful of ice cubes to knock off buildup, then flush with cold water. Citrus peel in small pieces freshens it, too.

What not to put down a disposal

A disposal is designed for small amounts of soft food scraps, not as a trash can. Avoid:

• Grease, oil and fat, which coat pipes and set as they cool
• Fibrous foods: celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes
• Starchy foods like pasta, rice and potato peels, which swell into a paste
• Coffee grounds and eggshells, which settle in pipes like sand
• Bones, fruit pits and shells
• Anything that isn't food

Always run cold water before, during and for several seconds after using the disposal.

Repair or replace?

Repair usually makes sense for jams, tripped resets, loose connections and flange re-seals.

Replacement is usually better when:

• The unit leaks from its body
• The motor hums and won't free up, or trips repeatedly
• It's older and grinding poorly, or it's rusted inside
• You want a quieter or more powerful model

When replacing, a like-for-like model often uses the same mounting ring, which makes the swap simpler. Consider the motor size for your household and whether the model has better sound insulation.

When to call a plumber

• The disposal leaks from the body, or you want it replaced and installed
• The drain beyond the disposal is clogged and plunging hasn't worked
• There's water damage in the cabinet
• The electrical side needs work, such as adding an outlet or switch

Ask whether the quote includes connecting the dishwasher drain (and knocking out the dishwasher knockout plug on a new unit), and disposal of the old unit. You can check any plumber's license using the TSBPE lookup.