Leak at the sink flange or drain pipe
Water coming from the top where the disposal meets the sink usually means the flange putty or mounting ring has loosened. We reseat it.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Northbrook, IL
Jammed, humming, leaking or dead garbage disposals repaired or replaced by licensed plumbers in Northbrook.
- Serving Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Garbage disposal problems we fix in Northbrook
A disposal fails in a handful of ways: it jams, it hums, it leaks or it simply stops. In Northbrook our licensed plumbers find out which, fix what can be fixed and replace the unit when it's done, with the drain and dishwasher hooked up properly.
Home on a septic system
A disposal sends more food solids into a septic tank. If your Northbrook home is on septic, check with your septic professional about pumping frequency and whether a disposal suits your system.
Old disposal rusting out
A corroded disposal is a leak waiting to happen. We remove it and put in a new one with fresh mounting parts.
Wall switch or wiring problems
Disposals need a switched power source. Where wiring has to be added or changed, we explain who does it and whether a permit is involved.
Disposal too small for the household
If the disposal stalls every time you clear plates, it's undersized. We size the replacement to how much you cook.
Dishwasher drains poorly after a new disposal
A dishwasher that suddenly holds water after a disposal install almost always means the inlet plug is still in place. It's a quick fix.
Bad smell from the disposal
Odor from the sink often comes from food stuck under the splash guard or in the trap. Cleaning helps; a constant smell can mean a drain problem.
Disposal won't turn on at all
Silence when you flip the switch often means the overload tripped. Pressing the reset button on the bottom of the unit may bring it back; if not, we check the switch, outlet and wiring.
What we hook up and check
- 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.
- Size the new disposalHorsepower and grinding chamber matched to your cooking and household.
- 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.
- Power connectionCord kit for a switched outlet or a hardwired connection, depending on the setup.
- Test and clean upWe run water, grind a test load and check every joint.
What to pick before the install
Batch feedRuns only with the stopper lid in place, so no wall switch is needed.
HorsepowerSmaller motors for light use; larger ones grind faster and jam less in busy kitchens.
Stainless grinding partsStainless chambers and grind components resist corrosion and last longer.
Plug-in or hardwiredTwo ways to power a disposal; the existing setup usually decides.
Septic-rated modelsModels built for septic systems, for owners whose septic service approves a disposal.
Before and after: kitchens near Northbrook
Before
Installed
DetailNorthbrook kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: garbage disposal installation & repair
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Techny. What we started with: white cast-iron double sink. The main complaint was a disposal that had stopped grinding. After: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. Work included repair leaks at connections, size the new disposal, plus mount and seal.
Before
AfterKitchen Drain Cleaning in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Northbrook
Finished: the same sink draining clear after the kitchen line was cleaned with a drain cable.
Kitchen Drain Cleaning in Northbrook →
Before
AfterA Northbrook postwar Cape Cod: before and after
Finished: cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Northbrook →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen cabinet painting
What changed: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Northbrook →Install day
- 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 estimateAn itemized quote listing the unit, parts and labor.
- Repair or installWe fix the problem or install the new unit and connect it, usually in one visit.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair questions from Northbrook homeowners
Can I have a disposal on a septic system?
Your septic pro should decide, since the disposal changes how often the tank needs attention.
What does disposal installation or repair cost?
We price it after we see the setup, in writing.
What shouldn't go down a disposal?
Grease and hard or fibrous waste cause most jams and clogs. Run cold water while grinding.
Where is the reset button?
Most units have a red reset on the underside. If pressing it doesn't help, check the breaker or call us.
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.
Northbrook plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for disposal repair or replacement?
Plumbing contractors: no village fee; must submit a copy of the State of Illinois Plumbing Contractor Registration (055). Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Northbrook contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Northbrook building permit for disposal repair or replacement: where do I apply?
Permits go through Development & Planning Services, phone 847-664-4050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Is Northbrook water hard, and does it matter for disposal repair or replacement?
Northbrook's water source: Lake Michigan, treated at the Village's own filtration plant (two offshore intakes). We plan fittings and filters around it.
Do I need a permit for disposal repair or replacement in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
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.