Garbage Disposal Repair Lakewood

Determining whether it's worth the time and money to repair a garbage disposal in Lakewood is a matter of judging several variables. They are: how bad is the disposal's problem, how old is it, and what's it going to cost to fix versus replace it? If we take a relatively new disposal that has a couple of minor issues (clogs, jams, etc.) as our baseline, then repairs should be a reasonable alternative to shelling out for a replacement unit. On the other hand, if we're dealing with a significantly damaged disposal, or a unit that has a history of breakdowns and repairs, then the sensible move might be to say goodbye to the old disposal and get a new one that's guaranteed to work for several years.

In Lakewood, kitchen garbage disposals generally operate for approximately 10 to 15 years. Their run time—if we can call it that—might be longer or shorter depending on the maintenance given, the quality of the unit, and the actual use. Regular and proper use, plus maintenance, can push the lifespan of a kitchen sink disposal to its max.

Typically, you should quote a price of between $150 to $400 to replace a garbage disposal in Lakewood. This price range includes both the new unit and the labor to install it. The total may vary based on what model you're using to replace the disposal and what you consider a professional rate to charge. Just make sure you're also accounting for any parts and necessary alterations to make the unit fit in your client's kitchen.

Frequently, the simplest means of addressing a garbage disposal problem involves assessing it for minor issues that can be easily amended. Start by making sure it’s off and unplugged in the name of safety. Then, check it for visible blockages—a flashlight is handy for this—using tongs, pliers, or some similar tool. Try not to use your hands, as they might be more prone to getting bitten and less able to navigate the inside of the disposal. If the jam is stubborn, the disposal might need a manual turning. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit first if it has overheated. Next, check the circuit breaker if pressing the reset button doesn’t seem to help.

When your garbage disposal just won't dispose, and instead gives off an angry hum, it's a fair bet that something inside is jamming the flywheel. But what? It could be a large object too stubborn to be ground down. It could also be a small object in a location that's a hazard to the disposal's blades or your hands. Your disposal runs on a torque-heavy motor built to deal with the tough job of shredding waste, not with trying to free the motor from a jam. Is it time for you to dig in and hazard a guess about what's stuck? Or is there a way to poke around safely without risking life, limb, or disposal?

Usually, you can find the reset button on a garbage disposal at either the bottom or the side of the unit. The button itself is frequently black or red and is there to push in case the disposal has tripped because of too much power going to it or because it is jammed. You need to ensure that either the disposal is unplugged or that the power leading to the unit is turned off before you go pushing the reset button, however, because safety first!

Check for the following signs to see if your garbage disposal motor is burned out: when the disposal is switched on, it makes no sound whatsoever; that's not unusual for a disposal. But if it doesn't make any sound—like an electric motor humming—then you need to do some troubleshooting. If the disposal was restarted and is now in the "on" position, and it has power but still isn't working, then you should probably have a pro look at it. And like many motor problems, if it was running but making some unusual noises before dying, it might be an electrical issue or a burned-out motor that could be repaired or replaced.

To make the garbage disposal spin again, you must first guarantee that it is safe to work on, which means making sure it is turned off. The next step is to check the reset button—this is underneath the disposal—and press it if it appears to be popped out. Now, even if the disposal had been previously working, it's a good idea to use an Allen wrench in the bottom hole to rotate the blades manually and dislodge any potential jams. If you see any suspicious debris, now is the time to remove it, using pliers or tongs, before you attempt to turn the disposal back on. Finally, check it with water to see if it operates as it should.

Of course, you can still use your kitchen sink when the garbage disposal is broken. Just make sure the disposal isn't clogged and that water can drain down into the depths of your plumbing where it's supposed to go. You might also want to consider catchment tools like a sink strainer to help with that. Repairs to the disposal itself should be made soon, however, if you want to avoid using the sink in ways that could create or exacerbate plumbing problems.

Your garbage disposal might stop working for several reasons. A tripped circuit or an electrical issue could be the culprit. Your disposal might have a jam caused by something stuck inside. The motor might be worn out or overheating. While it might seem like these problems could occur in any kind of appliance, there's one thing that makes these issues more likely and that leads us to talk about them: disposals just don't last. Check to see if the disposal's plugged in; if that's okay, look for a reset button on the unit and try that. If you don't want to or can't do these checks, just call a pro.