Disposal repair · Tulsa, OK
You flip the switch and hear a hum, but nothing grinds. The motor is getting power, and something is stopping it from turning.
Before you call
Never put your hand in the drain, even with the power off. Keep the power off the whole time you work under the sink, and don’t pour drain cleaner into a disposal that won’t turn.
What usually causes it
Fruit pits, bones, glass, bottle caps and silverware wedge between the spinning plate and the grind ring. The motor gets power but can’t move, so it hums.
Colby frees the plate, removes what jammed it and checks the grinding parts for damage.
After a jam, or a long run with hard scraps, the motor’s thermal overload cuts the power to protect it. The disposal then makes no sound at all until it cools and the reset button is pressed.
He finds out why it tripped, because a reset that keeps popping points to a motor problem.
A disposal that sits unused for weeks can rust where the plate meets the housing, or in the motor bearings. It hums, and even the hex key turns stiffly.
He frees it when he can, and tells you when it’s too far gone to save.
If the hex key turns freely and the disposal still only hums, the motor itself has failed. Disposals are sealed units, so a dead motor usually means a new disposal rather than a repair.
Colby installs disposals, so he can take out the old unit and put in the new one.
Questions
AMost disposals take a standard 1/4-inch Allen key from any hardware store. Some come with a small wrench of their own that fits the same socket.
AThen the jam is gone and the motor isn’t starting. Switch it off, leave the power off, and call Colby; at that point it’s usually time for a new disposal.
ADisposals struggle with hard or stringy scraps: pits, bones, corn husks, celery and big batches of potato peels. Run plenty of cold water with it and feed scraps in a little at a time.
AYes. There’s a diagnostic fee for the visit, and if you have Colby do the repair, the diagnostic fee is waived.
AMost appointments are within 48 hours, many within 24, and often the same day. Call or text and Colby will give you the soonest time he has.
Rather type it out?
Tell us what's wrong and how to reach you. Colby will call or text you back.
