Garbage disposal repair and installation in Ventura
Jammed, humming or leaking garbage disposal? We repair them and install new ones in Ventura kitchens, including the drain and dishwasher connections.
Call (805) 429-3719Common garbage disposal problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try or what we do |
|---|---|---|
| Hums but doesn't spin | Jammed flywheel | Power off; turn the hex socket on the bottom with the disposal wrench, then press reset |
| Silent, no hum | Tripped reset button, breaker or failed switch | Press the red reset button on the bottom; check the breaker |
| Leaks from the top | Loose or failed sink flange seal | Reseal the flange |
| Leaks from the side | Loose drain or dishwasher connection | Tighten or replace the gasket |
| Leaks from the bottom | Failed internal seal or cracked housing | Replace the disposal |
| Drains slowly | Clog in the disposal outlet or trap | Clear the trap and drain; see kitchen sink clogs |
Never put your hand inside a disposal, even with the power off. Use tongs or the hex wrench from below.
Repair or replace?
Replace a disposal that leaks from its body, trips its reset button over and over, or is more than about 10 years old and grinding poorly. Repair a disposal with a jam, a loose connection or a leaking flange.
Disposal installation
- Choose the size. A 1/2 to 3/4 horsepower unit suits most homes.
- Remove the old unit and clean the sink opening.
- Install the new flange and mount with fresh plumber's putty or gasket.
- Connect the drain and the dishwasher inlet, knocking out the dishwasher plug on a new unit.
- Check the dishwasher high loop or air gap, so dirty water can't flow back into the dishwasher.
- Test for leaks with the sink full and the dishwasher running.
Disposals in Ventura restaurants
Ventura Water's grease program for food service establishments requires existing garbage disposals to be removed and doesn't allow new ones in restaurant kitchens. See commercial plumbing for food service plumbing.
How pricing works
Every job is different, so the cost depends on the type of work and what the job requires. We look at the problem first, explain your options, and confirm the price with you before any work starts.
Need a plumber in Ventura now?A licensed plumber answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Garbage disposal questions
What should never go in a garbage disposal?
Grease, oil, coffee grounds, rice, pasta, eggshells, bones, fruit pits and fibrous scraps such as celery and onion skins. They jam blades or clog the drain.
Can a disposal go on a septic system?
Most Ventura homes are on city sewer, so this rarely applies. Septic systems need a septic-rated disposal and more frequent pumping.