A garbage disposal that leaks under the sink or sends water back up the kitchen drain is an emergency in a busy household. Call (603) 815-9179 any time of day. Our 24/7 line is staffed at night and on weekends, and we can often send a plumber the same day.
Until we arrive, switch off the disposal at the wall switch and unplug it if the cord is reachable under the sink. Never put a hand in the grinding chamber. Empty the cabinet so a leak does not soak stored items, and keep the dishwasher off if it drains through the disposal.
Garbage disposal repair covers jams, motor failures, leaks and slow drains. We also install new units, including in kitchens that never had one.
Disposal leaking or backing up: what to do right now
A leak under the sink needs a quick look at where the water is coming from. Run the faucet briefly with a dry paper towel held against each joint. The wet spot tells you which part has failed.
- Turn off the switch and unplug the disposal before touching anything.
- Close the cold water valve under the sink if the supply line to the faucet is leaking.
- Place a bucket under the leak and clear the cabinet floor.
- Stop using the dishwasher if it drains into the disposal.
- Call the 24/7 line and tell us whether the water is dripping from the unit, the sides or the drain pipe.
If both sink basins fill and stay full, the blockage is beyond the disposal. That is a drain line problem, and our drain cleaning team clears kitchen lines with a cable.
Humming, jammed or dead: what each sound means
A disposal that hums but does not spin is jammed. A fork, a bone or a cluster of fruit pits has locked the flywheel. Most jams clear by turning the flywheel with the wrench that fits the bottom of the unit, then pressing the red reset button.
A disposal that makes no sound may have a tripped reset, a failed switch or a dead motor. We test the power at the outlet and the switch before we condemn the motor. Replacement is the honest answer when the motor has burned out.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jammed flywheel | Free the jam, reset the unit |
| Silent, reset does not work | Switch, outlet or motor failure | Test power, replace failed part |
| Spins but grinds poorly | Dull or damaged impellers | Replace the unit if worn out |
| Water at the top flange | Failed mounting seal | Reseal or reset the flange |
| Water from the side | Cracked housing or loose hose | Replace hose or unit |
Where a disposal leaks, and what it costs you
Leaks come from three places. The top flange leaks when the sink seal dries out. The drain pipe and dishwasher hose leak at their clamps. The body leaks when rust or a crack opens the housing, and that cannot be repaired.
A slow leak soaks the cabinet floor and the wall behind it before you see it. We check the cabinet base and the supply lines for water damage and tell you what we find. If the leak has spread, our leak detection service finds hidden moisture.
Repair or replace the unit
A jam, a reset or a loose hose is worth repairing. A cracked body, a seized motor or a unit that has been replaced once before is a better candidate for replacement. Newer units grind quieter and fit a standard three bolt mount.
We also move units to a new brand when you want a more powerful motor. A larger motor does not fix a clog downstream, so we check the drain first. A worn disposal and a partly blocked line often show up together.
Installing a disposal where there was none
Installing a disposal in a kitchen without one takes more than a mounting kit. The sink needs a three-inch drain opening, an outlet or a hardwired circuit, and a switch you can reach. If a dishwasher is present, its drain hose connects to a port on the disposal, and a plug inside that port must be knocked out first.
We handle the plumbing side and tell you if the electrical work needs a licensed electrician. If a countertop or cabinet change is involved, Building and Zoning Enforcement at 603-432-1100, extension 440, can say whether a permit is needed. When we reattach a dishwasher and disposal after a countertop change, we test both under water before we leave.
What not to put down the disposal
- Grease, oil and fat, which cool and coat the drain pipe.
- Coffee grounds in large amounts, which pack into sludge.
- Potato peels and pasta, which swell into a paste.
- Bones, fruit pits and corn husks, which jam or wrap the shaft.
- Chemical drain cleaners, which damage seals and burn the next plumber.
Run cold water for ten seconds after grinding. Cold water keeps grease solid so it flushes out of the pipe.
What disposal repair costs
Disposal work is quoted before we pull the unit. These factors move that quote:
- Whether the fix is a reset, a seal, or a new unit.
- The motor size and model you choose for a replacement.
- Whether the dishwasher connection or electrical work needs changes.
- Whether the drain line needs cleaning at the same visit.
- Whether the visit is after hours.
Insurance seldom pays for a worn disposal but may cover sudden cabinet water damage. Call (603) 815-9179 and describe the unit for a price.
Disposals in Londonderry kitchens
Whether your kitchen drains to a town sewer or a septic tank matters here. Disposals send more solids to a septic tank, and many septic owners limit or skip them. Ask your septic service about use, or ask Londonderry Public Works at 603-432-1100, extension 460, which system serves your street.
We repair and install disposals across Londonderry and in Derry, Hudson and Litchfield. A leaking sink faucet is covered on our faucet repair page.
Under the International Plumbing Code (IPC), a disposal drain must connect through a trap and an approved connection, which we check when we reinstall one.
Questions we hear in Londonderry
Yes. After hours, call (603) 815-9179. A disposal leaking into the cabinet is worth mentioning first, and a same-day visit is possible when the schedule allows.
The flywheel is jammed. Turn the power off, free the shaft with the wrench that fits the bottom of the unit, and press the reset button. If it jams again, the unit may be worn.
A loose hose or a dried flange seal can. A leak from the housing cannot, and the unit must be replaced.
Yes, if the sink drain, power and space allow. We handle the plumbing and tell you if an electrician is needed.
Disposals add solids to a tank, so many owners limit use. Ask your septic service what is right for your system.
Usually the drain line past the disposal is partly blocked. We clear it with a cable and then test the disposal.