Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation Experts Serving Highwood, IL
When your garbage disposal stops working, it can quickly become a major inconvenience—especially during a busy evening when the sink is full. Whether your unit is jammed, leaking, dead, or making grinding sounds like gravel, our team can usually get it running again the same day.
Give us a call at 224-524-1625 and we’ll provide a straightforward evaluation. Sometimes a jammed disposal just needs a quick clearing. Other times, if the motor has burned out on a unit 10 years or older, replacement is the smarter choice. We’ll be upfront about costs and give you a firm price before starting any work.
If clogs persist beyond the disposal itself, we also clear kitchen drains and P-traps with our professional drain cleaning services. Planning a kitchen refresh? We offer kitchen remodels and faucet and fixture installations to complement your new disposal.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Garbage Disposal Repairs
Most common disposal issues we fix include: grinding plate jams causing humming but no rotation (try the reset hex wrench first—if that fails or repeats, call us); overload resets that won’t stay engaged; leaks at the sink flange or discharge connections; worn splash guards; and units that run but fail to grind properly due to wear. We carefully diagnose each problem before recommending repair or replacement.
We work on all big names like InSinkErator, Waste King (Moen), GE, KitchenAid, and more. If repairs make sense, we tackle them promptly and affordably. For older or seriously damaged units, we’ll offer a fair replacement option along with pricing to help you decide.
Garbage Disposal Replacement
If a disposal is leaking from its housing, has a burnt motor, or is over 10 years old, replacement is often the best route. We’ll remove the old unit, check and repair sink fittings, swap out corroded mounting hardware, and install your new disposal. We’ll also handle dishwasher drain hookups and verify electrical connections—whether corded or hardwired—and test everything before leaving your home.
We’ll help you pick the right motor size: 1/2 HP is usually adequate for most homes; 3/4 HP handles heavier workloads with fewer jams; 1 HP suits large families or frequent use and generally runs quieter. Sound insulation options are available if kitchen noise is a concern. We’ll discuss all this during your service visit.
New Garbage Disposal Installations
Adding a disposal where none existed before is more involved. The sink’s drain opening will need modification for the mounting flange, electrical wiring must be installed or upgraded—typically by an electrician we coordinate with—and the dishwasher drain line connected if present. On our end, we handle the full plumbing setup and ensure everything meets code and works smoothly.
Clearing Disposal-Related Drain Blockages
If your kitchen drain backs up or slows when using the disposal, the clog might be in the P-trap or drain line rather than the unit. Grease, leftover food particles, and soap scum can build up beyond the disposal’s outlet. We provide thorough drain snaking to clear these blockages and verify dishwasher connections so your system flows properly again. If both disposal and drain are problematic, we’ll tackle both issues together.
Warning Signs Your Disposal Needs Attention
- Unit hums but grinding stops (likely jammed)
- No power or activity when switched on
- Loud grinding, screeching, or rattling sounds
- Leaks dripping from the bottom housing
- Water or drips around sink flange or discharge hose
- Slow or backed-up kitchen sink drain
- Reset button trips repeatedly
- Persistent bad smells even after cleaning
- Disposal is over a decade old
What to Avoid Putting Down Your Disposal
- Grease, fats, or cooking oils — they harden and clog pipes
- Stringy or fibrous veggies — celery, corn husks, onion skins
- Large amounts of starchy foods — pasta, rice, potato peelings
- Hard items like bones or pits — can damage blades
- Eggshells — membranes can wrap around the shaft
- Excessive coffee grounds — cause paste buildup
- Always run cold water when grinding and for 15 seconds afterward
Garbage Disposal Frequently Asked Questions
That humming usually means the motor’s powered but something’s jammed inside. First, turn off the disposal. Locate the hex opening on the bottom and use an Allen wrench—often taped to the side—to manually turn the grinding plate back and forth. Never stick your hand inside; use tongs to pull out any stuck items. If that doesn’t solve it or the jam repeats, give us a call at 224-524-1625.
If your disposal is younger than 5 or 6 years and has a fixable issue like a jam or minor leak, repairing makes the most sense. But if it’s 10 years or older, has a burnt motor, or leaks from the main housing, a replacement is often more cost-effective. We’ll present both options with pricing so you can make the best decision for your home.
Most disposals last between 8 and 15 years, depending on how often you use it and what you put down it. Heavy use, lots of fibrous or starchy scraps, or frequent jams tend to shorten lifespan. Popular brands like InSinkErator and Waste King offer dependable units across different price points.
Yes, in most kitchen sinks we can add a disposal. This requires modifying the sink’s drain hole for the mounting flange and installing an electrical outlet or switch under the sink—usually an electrician’s job, which we coordinate. We handle all plumbing work and will let you know upfront what electrical upgrades are needed. It’s a popular upgrade for kitchen remodels.