Condo disposal on a shared drain
In a Arlington Heights condo the kitchen drain often joins a stack shared with neighbors. Some buildings have rules about disposals, so check with the association before adding one.
Serving Arlington Heights & nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Arlington Heights, IL
Jammed, humming, leaking or dead garbage disposals repaired or replaced by licensed plumbers in Arlington Heights.
- Serving Arlington Heights ZIP 60004, 60005
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Garbage disposal problems we fix in Arlington Heights
When the disposal hums, drips or won't turn on, it doesn't always need replacing. Our Arlington Heights plumbers check the jam, the reset, the seals and the wiring first, and swap the unit only when that's the honest answer.
Disposal hums but won't grind
Humming is a jam until proven otherwise. We turn the power off, free the flywheel with a hex key from underneath and clear what was caught.
Disposal leaking from the bottom
Water dripping from the bottom of the unit means its internal seals have failed. That can't be repaired; the disposal needs replacing.
Dishwasher hose without a high loop or air gap
Backflow from the sink into the dishwasher is avoidable. The drain hose gets a high loop under the counter or an air gap on the deck, depending on local requirements.
Disposal too small for the household
Entry-level disposals are fine for light use. Heavier cooking calls for a stronger motor and a stainless grinding chamber.
Dishwasher drains poorly after a new disposal
New disposals come with a knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. If it wasn't removed, the dishwasher can't drain. We knock it out and reconnect the hose.
Bad smell from the disposal
Smells that come back after cleaning may point to a slow drain or a dishwasher hose holding dirty water. We check both.
Sink not draining with the disposal off
Water standing in the disposal side usually means food has packed into the unit or the trap below. We clear the clog and check the drain line.
What the install includes
- Clear jamsPower off, the flywheel freed from below and the object removed.
- Repair leaks at connectionsSink flange reseated, drain gasket and dishwasher inlet resealed.
- Remove the old unitOld disposal disconnected from power and drain and taken away.
- Mount and sealNew sink flange bedded in putty and the disposal locked to the mount.
- Drain connectionDischarge elbow, trap and tailpieces set so the sink drains freely.
- Dishwasher hookupThe dishwasher drain tied in and protected from backflow.
- Test and clean upWe run water, grind a test load and check every joint.
Models, parts and fittings
HorsepowerSmaller motors for light use; larger ones grind faster and jam less in busy kitchens.
Plug-in or hardwiredA cord kit into a switched outlet, or a direct connection in a junction box.
Septic-rated modelsSome units are designed for septic homes; use them only if your septic pro agrees.
Stainless grinding partsCorrosion-resistant grinding parts for longer service life.
Batch feedA lid-activated unit that grinds one load at a time and keeps hands out.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair before and after — Arlington Heights homes
Before
Installed
DetailGarbage Disposal Installation & Repair in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Arlington Heights
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Arlington Heights. What we started with: white double sink. The main complaint was an old disposal that hummed, jammed and leaked into the cabinet. After: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. Work included remove the old unit, drain connection, plus dishwasher hookup.
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1980s two-story: garbage disposal installation & repair
The site: a 1980s two-story in Mount Prospect. Before: white cast-iron double sink. The reason for the call: a rusted disposal and a wet cabinet floor. After: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. Work included clear jams, dishwasher hookup, plus test and clean up.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines, a typical kitchen for Des Plaines. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. The main complaint was an old disposal that hummed, jammed and leaked into the cabinet. Finished kitchen: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. On site this meant repair leaks at connections, drain connection, plus dishwasher hookup.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen drain cleaning
The same sink draining clear after the kitchen line was cleaned with a drain cable.
Kitchen Drain Cleaning in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, 1950s ranch: kitchen remodeling
Finished: cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Arlington Heights →From the old unit to the new one
- Tell us what it's doingHumming, silent, leaking or slow: the symptom points to the fix.
- Diagnose on siteWe check the jam, reset, power and connections first.
- Written estimateYou get the repair or replacement price in writing before work starts.
- Repair or installThe disposal goes in, the drain and dishwasher are connected and everything is tested.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair questions from Arlington Heights homeowners
Do I need a plumber to install a garbage disposal?
In Illinois, plumbing work is done by plumbers licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Our licensed plumbers install and connect disposals.
What shouldn't go down a disposal?
Grease, bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds in quantity, fibrous peels and anything non-food. They jam the unit or clog the drain.
Why is my disposal humming but not working?
Usually a jam. Running it while it hums can damage the motor, so switch it off.
What size disposal do I need?
It depends on how much food goes down the sink. We match the size to your household.
Can a leaking disposal be repaired?
Leaks at the sink flange, drain or dishwasher connection can be. Leaks from the body of the unit mean replacement.
Do Arlington Heights condo associations need to approve disposal repair or replacement?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Arlington Heights water: how does it affect disposal repair or replacement?
Arlington Heights's water source: Lake Michigan water treated at the Evanston plant and delivered through the Northwest Water Commission. We plan fittings and filters around it.
Do I need a Arlington Heights-registered contractor for disposal repair or replacement?
The Village of Arlington Heights contractor license number must be listed on permit applications; homeowners doing their own work file a Homeowner as General Contractor form. We take care of that before work starts.
Does Arlington Heights require a licensed plumber for disposal repair or replacement?
Plumbing permit application must include a Letter of Intent and an IDPH 055 license. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
What is the Arlington Heights building department phone number?
Permits go through Building & Life Safety Department, phone (847) 368-5560. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for disposal repair or replacement in Arlington Heights?
It depends on the scope. Arlington Heights's rule in short: Remodel permit applications (shown here via a basement remodel checklist dated 2020) require a building permit application, plans and a contractor proposal; plumbing and electrical permit applications are added if applicable. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building & Life Safety Department.
Do you work in my part of Arlington Heights?
Yes. Our crews work across Arlington Heights — ZIP 60004, 60005 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Arlington Heights
- A lot of Arlington Heights kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Building & Life Safety Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60004ZIP 60005
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Arlington Heights
Kitchen Drain CleaningSlow or backed-up kitchen sinks cleared, grease and all.
Kitchen Sink Installation & ReplacementNew sinks, undermount and farmhouse styles.
Kitchen Sink Leak & Drain RepairLeaking traps, strainers and drain pipes under the sink, fixed.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.