Garbage disposal problems are a steady source of calls in Lakewood, and original kitchen plumbing from the 1950s is part of the reason. A lot of homes here have had at least one disposal replacement since the house was built, and the connections and mounting hardware from an older installation don't always match current units cleanly, which is a common source of leaks after a DIY swap.
We repair jams, leaks, and units that hum without spinning, and we install new disposals when a unit is past repair or being upgraded. If a disposal leak turns out to be connected to a broader faucet and sink plumbing issue at the same fixture, we'll check both while we're there.
Disposal units generally have a shorter lifespan than the fixtures around them, typically eight to twelve years depending on usage, so a home this age has often already been through at least one replacement. That earlier installation is frequently where problems start: a unit installed by a previous owner, or during a quick DIY swap, doesn't always get mounted or wired to the same standard a licensed technician would use.
Why Call Us For This
Same-Day Repair
Most jams, leaks, and humming units are fixed the same day.
All Major Brands
InSinkErator, Waste King, and other common disposal brands serviced and installed.
Proper Mounting For Older Cabinetry
We check that mounting hardware actually matches your sink and cabinet setup, a common source of leaks after a mismatched swap.
Upfront Pricing
A flat price before any work starts.
Signs You Need This Service
Humming But Not Spinning
Usually a jammed impeller, often fixable without a full replacement.
Leaking From The Bottom
Typically a worn seal, common in units nearing the end of their service life.
Frequent Jamming
Can indicate a worn motor or a mounting issue putting stress on the unit.
Unusual Noise Or Burning Smell
Worth turning off and having checked promptly, this can indicate a motor problem.
Disposal Jammed Or Leaking?
Most repairs are done the same visit.
How It Works
Inspect
We check the impeller, seals, and mounting for the actual cause.
Quote
A flat price for repair or replacement before any work starts.
Repair Or Replace
Most jobs completed in a single visit, old units hauled away.
Test
Full run test and leak check before we leave.
What This Typically Costs
Full replacement, including a standard unit, runs higher and is quoted separately.
Common Questions
With the unit unplugged or the breaker off, checking for an obvious obstruction is reasonable. If a simple check doesn't clear it, further troubleshooting risks damaging the unit or injury, and it's worth having a technician look at it.
This is one of the most common calls we get. Mounting hardware and connection sizing can differ between an original 1950s-era setup and a current unit, and a mismatch is a frequent cause of leaks after a DIY install.
Most units last eight to twelve years with normal use, though usage habits and water hardness both affect that range.
Yes, removal and disposal of the old unit is included with every replacement.
It's generally not causing further damage by sitting idle, but it's worth having checked soon rather than repeatedly trying to force it to run, since that can burn out the motor if the jam isn't cleared properly.
A licensed plumber handles the plumbing connections and mounting; most units plug into an existing outlet, so an electrician typically isn't needed unless the kitchen lacks a dedicated outlet under the sink.
If a disposal issue is really a broader sink or faucet problem, see faucet and sink repair for that related fix. Homeowners in Bell, where kitchen plumbing tends to be even older than Lakewood's, can check our Bell service page for more on that city's specific housing history. Either repair gets the same upfront pricing before any work starts.