A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin, leaks under the sink or has backed up into the dishwasher side can stop a kitchen in its tracks. Emergency garbage disposal repair means freeing a jam, fixing a leak or replacing the unit, and we do it for Marlboro kitchens at any hour.
Before you do anything, turn the disposal's power off at the wall switch and the breaker. Never put your hand inside the disposal.
Disposal problems that cannot wait and what they mean
Humming but not spinning
The blades are jammed. A plumber can free them with a hex key from underneath.
Nothing at all, no hum
The reset button on the bottom or a tripped breaker is the first thing to check.
Leak under the sink
The seal, a flange or the dishwasher connection may be failing.
Sink backs up or smells
The drain line past the disposal may be clogged.
What to try, safely
- Switch the power off first, at the wall and the breaker.
- Look for an object stuck in the grinder with a flashlight, then remove it with tongs, never with a hand.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit.
- Insert a hex wrench in the bottom socket and work it back and forth to free the blades.
- If water pools in the sink, call us, because the drain beyond the disposal may be blocked.
When a disposal is not worth saving
| Situation | Usual answer | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jammed blades | Repair | Easy to clear |
| Leak at the seal or flange | Repair or replace | Depends on the unit's condition |
| Leak from the body | Replace | The housing cannot be sealed |
| Motor burned out | Replace | A new unit costs less than a motor repair |
We give you an honest answer on cost and age before we start. If the unit has been rebuilt before or leaks from the body, replacement is the sensible choice.
Disposal jammed or leaking?
Switch off the power and call. We can usually help the same day.
Kitchens in Marlboro and what goes down the drain
Large Marlboro kitchens with islands and second sinks often have a disposal working as hard as the main one. Fibrous vegetable scraps, bones, grease and starchy foods like rice and pasta are the usual reasons for jams and clogs.
A disposal is not a trash can. Running cold water while it works and keeping grease out of the drain keeps both the unit and the pipe beyond it clear. If the sink drain itself is slow, see our drain cleaning page.
What affects the price
You see the price before work starts.
Installing a new disposal: what we check
Replacing a disposal sounds simple, but a few details decide whether it works well. We check that the sink flange is sound, that the mounting assembly fits and that the electrical connection is safe, either a plug or a hardwired connection.
We also reconnect the dishwasher drain correctly, including the knockout plug that must be removed on a new unit. Skipping that step is a common reason a dishwasher drains poorly after an installation.
Related pages
For the sink faucet, see faucet repair. For general plumbing installs, see plumbing installation. We help kitchens in Marlboro, Colts Neck and Matawan.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Call (732) 466-1098 at any hour. A leak under the sink gets priority.
The blades are stuck. With the power off, a hex wrench in the bottom of the unit can free them.
It is usually a red button on the bottom of the unit. Press it after the unit has cooled.
They can collect in the pipe and cause slow drains. It is safer to put them in the trash or compost.
Often about an hour or two, longer if the wiring or sink connections need changes.
No. Turn it off and call us, because water can reach the motor and electrical parts.