Garbage Disposal Installation and Repairs in Summit Argo, IL
When your garbage disposal stops working, it quickly becomes a headache—especially after a long day when your kitchen’s full of scraps. Whether it’s stuck, dripping water, won’t power on, or sounds like it’s chewing gravel, our crew can generally repair it the same day.
Call us at 708-729-9180 for an honest evaluation: should you fix it or replace it? We consider the disposal’s age, the issue, and repair costs compared to new units. For example, a 12-year-old disposal with a fried motor usually needs replacement, but a 3-year-old unit jammed on debris might only require clearing. We’ll be upfront with pricing before any work begins.
If your drain beneath the disposal is clogged, we also offer drain clearing to tackle buildup in the P-trap or drain line. Upgrading your disposal as part of a remodel? Check out our kitchen remodeling and faucet and fixture installation options.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Disposal Repairs
We handle common disposal troubles like grinding plates stuck (motor hums but blades don’t spin—try the wrench on the bottom first; if that fails or happens often, call us), reset buttons that won’t hold, leaks at the flange or discharge, worn splash guards, and units that power on but don’t grind effectively.
Before recommending replacement, we pinpoint the exact problem. Many repairs are affordable and straightforward. If your unit is too old or too damaged for repair to make sense, we’ll lay out your options with prices so you can decide. We work on all major makes—InSinkErator, Waste King, GE, KitchenAid, and more.
Disposal Replacement
For disposals over a decade old, leaking through the housing, or with burnt motors, replacement often makes better sense. We remove the old unit, inspect and clean the sink drain flange, swap any rusty hardware, and install the new disposal securely. We’ll reconnect any dishwasher drains, verify wiring (hardwired or plug-in), and test functionality before we leave.
Choosing power: 1/2 HP suits most homes. 3/4 HP is better for frequent use and reduces jams, while 1 HP fits large families or heavy use and tends to run quieter. If your kitchen is open-plan and noise is a concern, models with sound insulation at 3/4 or 1 HP are a good choice. We’ll help you pick the right one on site.
New Disposal Installation
Adding a garbage disposal where none existed requires modifying the sink flange, installing an electrical outlet or switch (usually by an electrician, but we coordinate), connecting the dishwasher drain if present, and routing the discharge properly. We take care of all plumbing work and let you know if any electrical setup is needed before we begin.
Clearing Disposal-Related Drain Clogs
If your kitchen drain backs up or slows when running the disposal, the problem might be in the P-trap or drain pipe below. Grease, food particles, and soap scum often accumulate here. We use drain snakes to clear blockages and inspect related connections, including the dishwasher drain line. We’ll fix whatever’s causing the backup, whether it’s the disposal or the drain.
Warning Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Attention
- Unit hums but blades don’t turn (jammed)
- Dead when switched on — no sound or movement
- Loud grinding, squealing, or rattling sounds
- Leaking from the bottom housing
- Leaks around sink flange or discharge pipe
- Slow or backed-up kitchen drain
- Reset button trips repeatedly
- Bad odors that won’t go away with cleaning
- Unit is well over 10 years old
What Never to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
- Grease, oils, or fats — these harden inside pipes
- Stringy or fibrous foods — celery, onion skins, corn husks
- Bulk starchy foods — pasta, rice, potato skins
- Bones and large pits — can break the blades
- Eggshells — membranes stick around the motor shaft
- Large amounts of coffee grounds — cause buildup
- Always run cold water during and 15 seconds after use
FAQs About Garbage Disposals
A humming sound means the motor is powered but something’s stuck, usually the grinding plate or shredder ring. Turn off the unit, then insert the hex wrench into the hole on the bottom to manually rotate the plate back and forth. Use tongs to pull out any stuck debris—never reach in with your hands. If this doesn’t clear the jam, or if it happens repeatedly, call us at 708-729-9180.
If your disposal is less than 5 or 6 years old and the issue is something fixable like a stuck plate or a minor leak, repairing usually makes more sense. For a disposal over 10 years old, or with a burnt-out motor or housing leak, replacement tends to be the better investment. We’ll review your options and pricing so you can decide.
Most units last between 8 and 15 years depending on how heavily they’re used, the brand, and maintenance. Disposals that regularly handle fibrous or starchy waste, or suffer frequent jams, tend to wear out closer to the 8-year mark. InSinkErator and Waste King are popular brands that offer different price and reliability levels.
Yes, we can install a disposal in most sinks that don’t have one. The sink drain has to be adapted to fit the disposal flange, and you’ll likely need a dedicated electrical outlet or switch installed under the sink—that’s typically electrician work, which we can coordinate. This is a common upgrade in kitchen remodels.