Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair Serving Genoa, IL
A malfunctioning garbage disposal can quickly spoil your day—especially when you’re stuck with a sink full of scraps and no way to clear them. Whether your disposal is jammed, dripping from below, refusing to start, or grinding with a rough noise, we usually fix these issues the same day you call.
When you reach out at 779-217-8710, our team will evaluate if your unit needs a fix or a full replacement. Factors include the disposal’s age, the nature of the problem, and what’s economical—like swapping out a 12-year-old motor that’s burned out, or simply removing a stuck item from a younger unit. We give straightforward advice and a firm price before we start any work.
We also offer drain cleaning to clear clogs caused by buildup in the P-trap or drain pipes beneath the disposal. If you’re renovating your kitchen, check out our kitchen remodeling and faucet and fixture installation services to complete the upgrade.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Garbage Disposal Repairs
We handle common disposal issues like jams that cause the motor to hum but not spin (try the hex wrench tool on the bottom first), reset buttons that won’t hold, leaks under the sink flange or at the discharge pipe, defective splash guards, and grinders that spin but don’t pulverize food properly. We diagnose precisely before recommending repair or replacement to save you money. We service major brands including InSinkErator, Waste King (Moen), GE, KitchenAid, and others.
Disposal Replacement
When units pass the 10-year mark, develop housing leaks, or have motors that fail, replacement is the sensible choice. We remove your old disposal, inspect and repair the drain opening and mounting, replace corroded parts, and install the new unit with all necessary connections checked—including dishwasher lines and electrical wiring. We’ll help you pick the right horsepower—1/2 HP is sufficient for most homes, 3/4 HP handles larger loads with fewer jams, and 1 HP suits big families or heavy use. Need it quieter? We can recommend models with noise insulation.
New Disposal Installations
Adding a disposal where none existed before takes more work. We modify the sink drain to fit the mounting flange, coordinate adding or upgrading an outlet or switch (often requiring an electrician), connect dishwasher drains if needed, and route the discharge line properly. Our plumbers manage all the plumbing so you get a smooth installation from start to finish.
Clearing Disposal-Related Drain Blockages
If your kitchen sink drains slowly or backs up when running the disposal, the clog might be in the P-trap or drain pipe beyond the unit. Grease, food scraps, and soap scum commonly build up in the pipes. We use drain snaking techniques to clear these blockages and inspect the P-trap and dishwasher connections. If both the disposal and drain need attention, we’ll handle everything efficiently.
Warning Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Attention
- Motor hums but blades don’t turn (jammed)
- Nothing happens when you flip the switch
- Loud grinding, squealing, or rattling sounds
- Water leaking from bottom housing
- Leaks at the sink flange or discharge pipe
- Sink drains slowly or backs up
- Reset button frequently trips
- Persistent bad smells despite cleaning
- Disposal is over 10 years old
Foods & Items to Keep Out of Your Disposal
- Grease, fat, and oils — these solidify and block pipes
- Stringy or fibrous items — like celery, corn husks, and onion skins
- Starchy foods in bulk — pasta, rice, potato peels swell and clog drains
- Bones and fruit pits — risk damaging grinding parts
- Eggshells — membranes can wrap around shafts and jam
- Large amounts of coffee grounds — cause paste buildup in pipes
- Always run cold water while grinding and 15 seconds after
Frequently Asked Questions About Garbage Disposals
That humming usually means the motor’s live but the blades are stuck. First, switch it off. Then use the hex wrench in the socket at the bottom of the unit to manually free the grinding plate by turning it back and forth. Carefully remove any trapped debris with tongs—never your fingers. If this doesn’t fix it or it keeps jamming, call us at 779-217-8710.
If your disposal is under 5 or 6 years old and has a specific issue like a jam or small leak, repairing usually makes sense. For units over 10 years, or with motor failure or housing leaks, replacing it is often more cost effective. We’ll give you the facts and pricing for both so you can pick what’s right for you.
Expect between 8 and 15 years, depending on brand, how often you use it, and how well you care for it. Disposals handling fibrous or starchy foods frequently tend to wear out sooner. InSinkErator and Waste King are popular brands that offer reliable options at various price levels.
Yes, in most cases. Installing a disposal where none existed before means cutting the drain opening to fit the mounting flange and ensuring there’s proper electrical power—usually requiring an electrician. We take care of all the plumbing and will let you know what electrical work is needed as part of your quote. This is a popular upgrade during kitchen renovations.