A humming disposal almost always means the motor is stalled against a jam, and the fix is a reset button and a 1/4 inch hex key. Ten minutes, no parts to buy. Here is how to do it safely, and the signs the motor is actually done.
Unplug the disposal under the sink. If it is hardwired, flip its breaker. A humming disposal has a live motor pushing against the jam, so this step comes before anything else. Then leave the switch alone until step four.
Shine the flashlight down the drain and lift out anything visible with tongs or pliers. The usual suspects are fruit pits, bottle caps, and bones. In San Diego kitchens we also pull out a surprising number of avocado pits.
Under the sink, insert the Allen wrench into the hex socket at the bottom center of the unit. Work it back and forth until it swings a full turn freely in both directions. You are manually rotating the plate the jam is wedged against, and freeing it is the whole repair.
Press the red button on the bottom of the unit until it clicks and stays in. Restore power, run cold water, and flip the switch in a short burst. If it spins, let the water run about 30 seconds to flush the chamber, and you are done.
Stop and call us if: it still hums after the hex key turns freely and the reset clicks, it trips the breaker again, it is leaking from the bottom of the unit, or you smell burning. A bottom leak means an internal seal has failed and the unit needs replacing, and a motor that hums through a clear chamber is seized. Disposals last 8 to 12 years, so if yours is in that range, put the money toward the new one.
Call and describe it. We will tell you what it likely is, what it usually involves, and how soon we can be there.
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"Made what I thought was a catastrophe into a quick and easy repair. I'll refer all my friends and family to use Corey at Paws Plumbing."
"Amazing professional experience. They understood the urgency and sent out a team who was extremely knowledgeable and had all the supplies with them. I found the pricing a good value for the high level of service."
"I love these guys. They always go the extra mile to make sure the repairs are done right but also quickly."
Tell us what is going on and we will give you a real answer, a real timeframe, and an upfront price.
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