These are the questions people ask most about garbage disposals. They give general guidance; for anything about your particular unit or a visit from Fix Garbage Disposal, use the contact page.
The blades are almost certainly jammed. Turn the disposal off at once, unplug it or switch off its breaker, remove visible debris with tongs, and try turning the flywheel with a hex key from underneath if your model has a socket for one. Never use your hand.
Most disposals have a small overload button, usually red, on the underside. It trips when the motor overheats or strains against a jam. With the power off and the jam cleared, pressing it once can restore the unit. If it trips again immediately, something is still wrong.
Repair suits a unit that is sound but jammed, disconnected or tripping. Replacement suits a unit with a failed motor, a cracked or corroded body, or a leak from the body itself. Fix Garbage Disposal will tell you which one applies after looking at yours.
Leaks come from the sink flange, the dishwasher connection, the drain connection or the body. The first three can often be resealed or tightened. A leak from the body of the disposal means the casing has failed and the unit should be replaced.
Bones, fruit stones, glass, metal, plastic, and large amounts of grease, coffee grounds, pasta, rice and fibrous vegetables like celery cause jams and clogs. Run cold water while the disposal is on and for a short time afterwards.
Prices are agreed for your specific job, so none are published here. Questions about licensing and insurance are best answered directly by Fix Garbage Disposal, so ask when you get in touch.
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