Fixtures
Garbage disposal repair and installation in Aurora, CO
A disposal that hums, leaks or stops dead leaves the kitchen sink full of dirty water right when you need it. We clear jams, fix leaks where we can and install a new unit when the old one is done.
SERVICE PLATE
- Service
- Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation
- Typical range
- $115 to $195
- Area
- Aurora and the east metro
- Hours
- Answered 24/7
- Phone
- (720) 894-1012
Brands we work on every week
A humming disposal is usually jammed, a silent one has often tripped its reset button or lost power, and a leaking one may have a loose connection or a cracked housing. We clear jams and reset units in one visit. Leaks from the body of the disposal mean it has worn out, and replacing it is the only reliable fix.
Warning signs
Disposal symptoms and what they usually mean
It hums but won't spin
Something is wedged between the impeller plate and the grinding ring, or the motor bearings have seized. Turn off the switch right away, since running a jammed motor can burn it out.
Nothing happens at all
The internal overload has tripped, the outlet or switch has failed, or the breaker has opened. Pressing the reset button under the unit fixes many of these cases.
Water dripping under the sink
Leaks at the sink flange, the dishwasher inlet or the drain elbow can be resealed. Water seeping from the bottom of the housing means the internal seals have failed.
Sink drains slowly with the disposal running
Food packed in the discharge tube or trap restricts flow, and grinding more food makes it worse. Clearing the trap and tube usually restores normal drainage.
Loud grinding or rattling
A spoon, bottle cap or fruit pit may be bouncing around inside. Turn off the power before reaching in, and use tongs instead of your fingers to remove it.
A smell that won't go away
Food film builds up under the splash guard and inside the grinding chamber. Cleaning the guard, grinding ice and running cold water usually clears it up.
Step by step
How we handle a disposal call
- 01
Cut power and inspect
We turn off power to the disposal, check the reset button, the switch and the outlet, then look for leaks at every connection under the sink.
- 02
Free or diagnose
We clear jams with a hex key, remove debris and test the motor. If it won't run or leaks from the housing, we explain why it needs replacing.
- 03
Choose the next step
You get the price for the repair, or a choice of replacement models sized for your kitchen, before we install anything.
- 04
Install or repair
We remove the old unit, set the new disposal on a fresh mount, connect the drain and dishwasher line and wire or plug it in.
- 05
Run and check
We run the disposal with cold water, run the dishwasher drain, check every connection for leaks and show you where the reset button is.
Clearing a jam without damaging the motor
With the switch off and the unit unplugged or its breaker off, we use a hex key in the socket on the bottom of the disposal to turn the motor back and forth until the jam breaks loose. Then we remove what caused it, often a pit, bone or small kitchen tool. A quick press of the reset button and a test with cold water confirm the motor is free.
If the motor still hums after the jam is cleared, the bearings or windings may be failing. Running it longer only adds heat and damage. At that point we test the power supply and the switch to rule out an electrical problem, then tell you whether the disposal is worth keeping or should be replaced.
Repair or replace your disposal?
Jams, tripped resets, loose mounting rings and leaking drain connections are repairs, and they are usually quick. Leaks through the bottom or side of the housing, rusted grinding parts and motors that keep tripping are signs the unit has reached the end. Disposals aren't designed to be rebuilt at home, so internal failure means a replacement.
When you replace, size matters. A small half horsepower unit handles light use, while three quarter or one horsepower models grind faster and jam less often. Quieter models with better insulation cost a little more. We match the new disposal to how your household cooks, and we reuse the existing mount when it is compatible and in good shape.
What a disposal can and cannot handle
Disposals do best with soft food scraps and plenty of cold water. Grease, oil and fat should go in the trash, because they cool and stick inside the drain line. Fibrous foods like celery, onion skins and corn husks wrap around the grinding parts. Potato peels, rice and pasta turn into paste that clogs traps.
Coffee grounds and eggshells are often mentioned as harmless, but in quantity they settle in the drain like sand. Bones, fruit pits and shells can jam or damage the unit. Running cold water for several seconds after grinding helps flush everything through. Following those habits keeps both the disposal and the drain line under the sink in good shape.
Aurora notes
Disposal service for Aurora kitchens
In many older Aurora houses, especially 1960s and 1970s homes in central Aurora, the kitchen drain behind the sink is original cast iron or galvanized pipe. Those older lines narrow over time, so a disposal that sends a lot of food down the drain can cause slow drains or clogs further along. We check how well the sink drains after any disposal service and tell you if the branch drain needs cleaning.
Moderately hard water leaves scale on the grinding chamber and the sink flange, which can make a disposal noisier and harder to clean. Out in rural parts of Douglas and Elbert counties, though, many homes rely on septic systems, and it is worth talking with us before adding a disposal there, since extra food solids load up the tank faster.
Pricing
Garbage disposal repair and replacement costs in Aurora
TYPICAL AURORA PRICE RANGES
| Clear a jam and reset the disposal | $115 to $195 |
|---|---|
| Reseal a leaking sink flange or drain connection | $145 to $265 |
| Replace a disposal with a half horsepower unit | $335 to $545 |
| Replace a disposal with a three quarter horsepower unit | $445 to $695 |
| New disposal where none existed, with outlet ready | $485 to $865 |
These are typical ranges for Aurora homes, not a quote. Your price depends on the disposal model, your sink and drain setup and what we find under the cabinet.
- Disposal sizeHigher horsepower and quieter models cost more, but they jam less and grind faster, which suits busy kitchens.
- Mounting and drainsReusing a compatible mount saves time. Changing brands or reworking the trap and dishwasher connection adds parts and labor.
- Electrical setupA unit that plugs into an existing switched outlet is simple. Hardwired units, or kitchens with no switched outlet, take longer to connect.
- Sink typeUndermount and farmhouse sinks can need different mounting hardware, and cramped cabinets slow down removal and installation.
Compare more jobs in our plumbing price guide.
Questions
Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation questions from Aurora homeowners
Where is the reset button on my garbage disposal?
On most models it is a small red or black button on the bottom of the unit, near where the power cord enters. Turn off the switch, press the button firmly and wait a moment before trying again. If it trips repeatedly, the motor may be overheating or jammed.
Is it safe to put my hand into a jammed disposal?
No. Even with the switch off, a sudden release or an accidental flip of the switch can cause injury. Unplug the unit or turn off its breaker, then use tongs or pliers to remove objects. A hex key in the bottom socket can free the jam without reaching into the grinding chamber.
Why does my disposal leak from the bottom?
Water dripping from the bottom of the housing usually means the internal seals have failed and the unit has worn out. That isn't repairable in a practical way. Leaks higher up, at the sink flange or the side connections, are often fixable by resealing or tightening those joints.
How long does a garbage disposal usually last?
Many disposals last somewhere around eight to twelve years with normal use. Higher-end units with stainless grinding parts tend to last longer. Heavy use, hard water scale and grinding the wrong foods shorten that life. A unit that keeps jamming or leaking is often near the end.
Does the dishwasher drain need to connect to the disposal?
Many kitchens route the dishwasher drain through the disposal inlet, though some use a separate branch tailpiece instead. Either way, the line needs a high loop or air gap. When a new disposal is installed, the knockout plug inside the inlet has to be removed, or the dishwasher won't drain.
Related work
Other plumbing jobs that often go with this one
Sink Installation
Kitchen, bathroom, laundry and bar sinks installed with new drains, traps and supply lines that fit your counters.
Learn more
Drain Cleaning
Slow or stopped sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains and laundry lines cleared at the clog, without harsh chemicals.
Learn more
Faucet Repair & Replacement
Dripping spouts, leaking handles and loose kitchen faucets fixed with new cartridges, or replaced with a faucet you like.
Learn more
Appliance Water & Drain Hookups
Washer boxes, dishwasher supply and drain lines, ice maker lines and standpipes installed so new appliances run without leaks.
Learn moreCoverage
Where we do garbage disposal repair & installation around Aurora
These neighborhoods and nearby cities cover most of the households we serve. Not listed? Call and ask.
- Original Aurora, Aurora 80010
- Del Mar, Aurora 80010
- Hoffman Heights, Aurora 80011
- Aurora Hills, Aurora 80012
- Village East, Aurora 80012
- Willow Park, Aurora 80012
- Aurora Knolls, Aurora 80012
- Heather Gardens, Aurora 80014
- Aurora 80012
- Denver 80202
- Centennial 80112
- Parker 80134
- Englewood 80110
- Littleton 80120
- Greenwood Village 80111
- Lone Tree 80124
Need help with garbage disposal repair & installation?
Call any time, day or night. A real person answers and tells you what happens next.