Leaking, burning smell or will not stop: urgent signs
Leaking under the sink
Water in the cabinet can come from the disposal housing, the sink flange or the drain. Put a bowl under it, stop using the sink and shut off the unit.
Burning smell or smoke
Turn the switch off and shut off the breaker. Do not run it again. A burning smell can mean a seized motor or a wire problem.
Will not stop running
A switch that sticks on needs power cut at the breaker. Do not reach into the unit to stop it.
Sink full of dirty water
A disposal that no longer drains is often jammed, or the line past it is blocked. Stop the sink and call.
Call (603) 815-9179 and tell us which of these you have. Evening, overnight and weekend calls go to the same 24/7 line.
Humming, jammed or leaking: how to tell
| What you notice | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jammed grinder plate or bone, fruit pit, utensil | Clear the jam with power off. Reset |
| Dead, no hum, no sound | Tripped reset button or dead outlet or switch | Reset, check breaker, test the circuit |
| Spins freely but slow to drain | Clogged drain line past the disposal | Clear the line. See drain cleaning |
| Leaks from the side or bottom | Cracked housing or failed seals | Usually means replacement |
| Leaks at the top | Sink flange seal or mounting ring | Reseal or reinstall the flange |
| Dishwasher backs up into the sink | Blocked dishwasher knockout or drain hose | Check the hookup and the line |
Reset and hex key steps: the safe version
Many jams clear in two minutes, but only with the power off. Never put your hand into the disposal, even when it seems dead. Use tongs or pliers for anything you can see.
Switch off the power
Turn off the wall switch. Then shut off the breaker for the disposal if you can, or unplug the unit if it has a plug under the sink.
Use the hex key from below
Most disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom. Fit the wrench that came with the unit, or a matching hex key, and work it back and forth until the plate turns freely.
Remove debris from above with tongs
Use a flashlight and pliers or tongs. Do not use your fingers.
Press the red reset button
On the bottom of the unit is a small red button. Press it, restore power and test with a little water running.
If it trips again or hums again
Stop. Repeat tripping means a failing motor or a deeper issue. Leave power off and call us.
Disposal dead or leaking?
A licensed plumber can see it the same day when available. Call (603) 815-9179.
Repair or replace the disposal?
Repair or reset when
- The cause is a jam
- The housing is dry and sound
- Power and switch work normally
Replace when
- The housing leaks from the side or bottom
- The motor hums, trips and stalls repeatedly
- Rust or corrosion shows on the unit
A leaking housing cannot be patched for good, and a motor that keeps stalling rarely recovers. Size matters too: a bigger motor handles more, but the unit has to fit the space under your sink.
Installing a disposal: the basics
Installation starts with power off, then the old unit is released from its mounting ring and the drain is disconnected. The sink flange is cleaned and sealed, the new mounting assembly is fitted, and the disposal is hung and aligned to the drain.
The dishwasher drain hose connects to a small inlet on the disposal. On a new unit, the plug inside that inlet must be knocked out before the hose is connected, or the dishwasher will not drain. It is a common miss on a first install.
The electrical connection is either a plug or a hardwired box with a switch. If a new circuit or switch is needed, a licensed electrician handles that part. Manufacturer instructions govern every install.
A new unit is mounted and plumbed according to the manufacturer's installation instructions, and any wiring is done by a licensed electrician. Any new circuit or hardwired box should meet the electrical standards that apply to the home.
What not to grind, plus a note on sewer and septic
Keep these out of the disposal
- Grease, oil and fat, which coat the pipe and harden
- Coffee grounds in quantity
- Fibrous food such as celery, corn husks and artichoke
- Pasta, rice and potato peels, which swell
- Bones, fruit pits and shells
- Non-food items
If your home is on a septic system, ask the manufacturer of your tank or your septic pro about disposals before installing one. Disposal waste adds solids to the system. On city sewer, the same grease and fiber rules apply, and what you send down can add to sewer clogs. See sewer line cleaning if kitchen drains back up repeatedly.
Kitchen sink clog or disposal problem?
The disposal sits in the middle of your kitchen drain, so a kitchen clog can look like a disposal failure. If the unit spins but the sink still drains slowly, the clog is likely in the line past it or in the shared trap with the dishwasher.
That is a drain job, not a motor problem. Our drain cleaning work clears these, and a camera shows whether grease buildup or something else is the cause.
What affects the cost of garbage disposal repair
What affects the price
A reset takes minutes. A replacement involves a unit, labor and often a few new parts. These are the factors.
Want your real number? Call (603) 815-9179 and we will give a clear price before work starts.
Landlords and property managers: tell us the unit and whether the leak reached the cabinet floor or the unit below. We serve Haverhill and nearby towns, and (603) 815-9179 is answered at any hour.
Questions we hear
Yes. Our 24/7 dispatch handles leaks, burning smells and units that will not stop at night, on weekends and on holidays. Same-day visits are booked when available.
The grinder plate is usually jammed. With the power off, use the hex key from below to free it, then press the reset button.
No. Never reach into a disposal, even with the power off at the switch. Use tongs or pliers for anything you can see.
A leak at the top may be a flange seal that can be reset. A leak from the side or bottom usually means the housing is cracked and the unit needs replacing.
The drain line past the disposal is probably blocked. A clog there is a drain cleaning job, not a motor repair.
Ask your septic professional first. A disposal adds solids to the tank, and your system's size and condition matter.
Yes. We connect the dishwasher drain hose and clear the inlet knockout so the dishwasher drains properly.
Not sure whether it is the disposal or the drain? Call (603) 815-9179 and describe what you hear.