Condo disposal on a shared drain
In a Palatine 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 Palatine & nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Palatine, IL
Jammed, humming, leaking or dead garbage disposals repaired or replaced by licensed plumbers in Palatine.
- Installers working in Palatine ZIP 60067, 60074
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Garbage disposal problems we fix in Palatine
When the disposal hums, drips or won't turn on, it doesn't always need replacing. Our Palatine plumbers check the jam, the reset, the seals and the wiring first, and swap the unit only when that's the honest answer.
Dishwasher hose without a high loop or air gap
We set the dishwasher connection so dirty water can't run back toward the tub, using whichever method your village accepts.
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.
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
A leak from the housing itself, not a pipe, is the end for that disposal. We remove it and install a new one with fresh connections.
Wall switch or wiring problems
Some disposals plug into an outlet under the sink controlled by a wall switch; others are hardwired. If the switch is worn or the wiring is loose, we tell you what it needs.
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.
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
- Diagnose the problemWe check for jams, the reset, power, leaks and drain clogs before suggesting a new unit.
- Clear jamsPower off, the flywheel freed from below and the object removed.
- Repair leaks at connectionsLeaks at the mount, outlet or dishwasher hose fixed without a new unit.
- Remove the old unitThe worn unit removed, the mount cleaned and the cabinet dried.
- Size the new disposalA unit sized for how much food goes down the sink.
- Drain connectionDischarge elbow, trap and tailpieces set so the sink drains freely.
- Test and clean upWe run water, grind a test load and check every joint.
What to pick before the install
HorsepowerSmaller motors for light use; larger ones grind faster and jam less in busy kitchens.
Sound insulationInsulated housings make the disposal noticeably quieter.
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.
Continuous feedSwitch on, run water and add scraps as it grinds.
Kitchens like yours in Palatine: before and after
Before
Installed
DetailGarbage Disposal Installation & Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Palatine
A 1990s two-story colonial in Palatine, a typical kitchen for Palatine. Before: white double sink. The reason for the call: a disposal that had stopped grinding. Finished kitchen: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. The job covered diagnose the problem, size the new disposal, plus drain connection.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Buffalo Grove
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near The Highlands. The kitchen as it was: white cast-iron double sink. The main complaint was a disposal that had stopped grinding. The result: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. Work included diagnose the problem, repair leaks at connections, plus remove the old unit.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterA Hoffman Estates two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Hoffman Estates. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. What bothered the owners most: 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. On site this meant remove the old unit, size the new disposal, plus test and clean up.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Hoffman Estates →
Before
AfterKitchen Drain Cleaning in a 1990s two-story colonial, Palatine
Finished: the same sink draining clear after the kitchen line was cleaned with a drain cable.
Kitchen Drain Cleaning in Palatine →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Palatine
What changed: cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with polished nickel pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, a white herringbone tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Palatine →Install day
- Tell us what it's doingHumming, silent, leaking or slow: the symptom points to the fix.
- Diagnose on siteA licensed plumber finds out whether it's a repair or a replacement.
- 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 Palatine homeowners
Can I have a disposal on a septic system?
Check with whoever services your septic system first. Disposals add load to the tank.
Why is my disposal humming but not working?
Usually a jam. Running it while it hums can damage the motor, so switch it off.
Do I need a plumber or an electrician?
Usually just a plumber when replacing. Adding a disposal where there's no power under the sink needs electrical work too.
Do I need a plumber to install a garbage disposal?
We have a licensed plumber install every disposal, so the drain, trap and dishwasher connections are done properly.
How long does it take to install a new garbage disposal?
Swapping a disposal is often a short visit. Adding one where there was none can take a few hours.
Does Palatine require a licensed plumber for disposal repair or replacement?
Plumbing permit applications must include a letter of intent from the Illinois-licensed plumber of record (225 ILCS 320/37); plumbing registration requires the state license. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Palatine water: how does it affect disposal repair or replacement?
Palatine's water source: Lake Michigan water purchased from and treated by the City of Evanston; reported hardness is About 137 mg/L as CaCO3 (about 8.0 grains per gallon); range 120-149 mg/L. Figures are for the Evanston supply, 2024 report.. We plan fittings and filters around it.
What is the Palatine building department phone number?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections, phone (847) 359-9042. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do Palatine 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.
Do I need a Palatine-registered contractor for disposal repair or replacement?
Contractors must be registered and bonded with the Village before a permit is issued. Registration is online and expires Dec 31 each year. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for disposal repair or replacement in Palatine?
It depends on the scope. Palatine's rule in short: A permit is required to remodel a kitchen or to add/alter the electrical system. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections.
Do you work in my part of Palatine?
Yes. Our crews work across Palatine — ZIP 60067, 60074 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich.
Working in Palatine
- A lot of Palatine 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 Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60067ZIP 60074
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Palatine
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.