Garbage Disposal Repairs & Installations Serving Midlothian, IL
Nothing slows down your kitchen flow like a disposal that fails when you need it most — especially after a busy day or before dinner prep. Whether your unit is jammed, leaking underneath, dead silent, or making a grinding sound that’s off, our team gets it fixed quickly, often the same day we visit.
Give us a call at 708-734-6519 and I’ll provide you with straightforward advice on whether we can repair it or if it’s better to swap it out. We consider the disposal’s age, type of malfunction, and repair cost versus replacement price. For example, a motor that’s burned out on a 12-year-old disposal usually means replacement is the smarter move. But a simple jam on a newer unit? Just clearing that often does the trick. You’ll get an honest assessment and clear pricing before any work starts.
In addition, if your sink’s drain line or P-trap is clogged because of disposal use, we handle that too with professional drain clearing. Planning to upgrade your kitchen? Check out our kitchen remodeling and faucet and fixture installation services for a full refresh.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Garbage Disposal Repair
We tackle the common issues: blades stuck and causing a humming noise, reset button that won’t stay engaged, leaks around the sink flange or discharge pipes, worn splash guards, or a disposal that powers on but doesn’t grind food properly. Before recommending replacement, we thoroughly diagnose the problem. Many repairs are affordable and restore your unit to good working shape. We cover all major makes like InSinkErator, Waste King, GE, KitchenAid, and more.
If we find the unit too far gone or repair costs aren’t sensible, we’ll explain your options honestly and provide a price comparison so you can make the call.
Garbage Disposal Replacement
If your disposal is over a decade old, has leaks from its housing, or a burnt-out motor, we recommend replacement. We remove the old unit carefully, inspect and clean the sink drain flange, swap out any corroded mounting hardware, and install your new disposal properly. We ensure dishwasher drains connect correctly, verify electrical hookups whether hardwired or plug-in, and test everything before finishing.
Picking the right horsepower matters: 1/2 HP fits most homes fine. If you use your disposal a lot or want fewer jams, 3/4 HP is a solid step up. For larger families or heavy use, 1 HP units offer more power and quieter operation due to less strain. We’ll help you weigh these at the time of service.
New Garbage Disposal Installation
Installing a disposal where none existed requires cutting and prepping the sink drain for the mounting flange, ensuring proper plumbing connections, and adding an electrical outlet or switch if necessary—usually handled by an electrician, but we coordinate everything. We set up the dishwasher drain line if needed and make sure the disposal discharge is routed correctly. Our team handles all plumbing aspects and will advise if any electrical work is involved before starting.
Disposal-Related Drain Clearing
If your kitchen drains slow or back up when using the disposal, clogged pipes might be the culprit, not the disposal itself. Grease and food buildup often accumulate in the P-trap or drain lines under the sink. We use professional drain snakes to clear blockages and inspect dishwasher drain connections while we’re there. If both your disposal and drain need attention, we’ll take care of both to get your sink flowing smoothly again.
Warning Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Attention
- Unit hums but won’t grind (likely jammed)
- No sound or response when switched on
- Unusual grinding, squealing, or rattling noises
- Leakage from the bottom of the disposal housing
- Leaks at the sink flange or the discharge pipe
- Slow draining or backup in the kitchen sink
- Reset button trips repeatedly
- Foul odors that won’t go away after cleaning
- Disposal is 10 years old or more
Items You Shouldn’t Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
- Grease, oils, and fats — cause pipe clogs when they cool
- Fibrous vegetables — celery stalks, corn husks, onion skins, artichoke leaves
- Starchy foods in large amounts — pasta, rice, potato skins
- Bones and fruit pits — hard items that damage grinding parts
- Eggshells — membranes can wrap around the grinder shaft
- Coffee grounds in bulk — can create pasty buildup
- Always run cold water while grinding and keep it flowing for 15 seconds after
Garbage Disposal Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. A humming sound usually means the motor’s getting power but the blades are stuck. First, turn off the disposal completely. Locate the hex socket key on the bottom center of the unit (often stored on the side) and use the Allen wrench to manually rotate the blades back and forth. Remove any visible blockages with tongs, never your hands. If it still won’t work or jams repeatedly, give us a call at 708-734-6519.
If your disposal is younger than 5 or 6 years and the problem is something fixable like a jam or minor leak, repairing it is usually your best bet. But if it’s older than 10 years, has a burnt motor, or is leaking from the main housing, replacing it makes more sense financially and in the long run. We’ll present both options with costs so you can decide what fits your situation.
Most disposals last between 8 and 15 years, depending on use and care. Heavy use, frequent jams, or processing tough, fibrous, or starchy waste can shorten its lifespan. Common brands like InSinkErator and Waste King offer reliable units at various price points.
Yes, in many cases we can add a disposal to sinks that didn’t originally come with one. This involves modifying the sink drain for the mounting hardware and adding an electrical outlet or switch underneath the cabinet—usually an electrician handles the wiring, but we coordinate that. We take care of all the plumbing connections and guide you through what’s involved. It’s a popular upgrade during kitchen remodels.