Disposal won't turn on at all
No sound at all points to power: the reset button, the breaker, the switch or the plug. We test each and replace the unit only if the motor is dead.
Serving West Chicago & nearby Winfield, Carol Stream
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in West Chicago, IL
Jammed, humming, leaking or dead garbage disposals repaired or replaced by licensed plumbers in West Chicago.
- Serving West Chicago ZIP 60185
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Garbage disposal problems we fix in West Chicago
A disposal fails in a handful of ways: it jams, it hums, it leaks or it simply stops. In West Chicago 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.
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.
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 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.
Adding a disposal where there was none
Installing a disposal in a sink that never had one is common. The plumbing is straightforward; the power under the sink is the part to plan.
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.
Home on a septic system
Ground food adds solids to a septic tank. Your septic pro is the right person to say whether a disposal fits your system and how often it should be pumped.
What the install includes
- 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 unitOld disposal disconnected from power and drain and taken away.
- 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 upFull test with the sink and dishwasher draining, then cleanup.
Options to choose from
Plug-in or hardwiredA cord kit into a switched outlet, or a direct connection in a junction box.
HorsepowerSmaller motors for light use; larger ones grind faster and jam less in busy kitchens.
Sound insulationSound-dampened models for open kitchens.
Septic-rated modelsModels built for septic systems, for owners whose septic service approves a disposal.
Stainless grinding partsCorrosion-resistant grinding parts for longer service life.
Before and after: kitchens near West Chicago
Before
Installed
DetailGarbage Disposal Installation & Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, West Chicago
A 1990s two-story colonial in West Chicago, a typical kitchen for West Chicago. 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. The job covered diagnose the problem, remove the old unit, plus drain connection.
Before
AfterA Carol Stream 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story in Carol Stream. Before: white double sink. What bothered the owners most: a rusted disposal and a wet cabinet floor. The result: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. On site this meant drain connection, power connection, plus test and clean up.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in Carol Stream →
Before
AfterA St. Charles 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in St. Charles. Before: solid-surface integrated sink. The reason for the call: a disposal that had stopped grinding. The result: a new garbage disposal installed under the sink with a clean dishwasher connection. Work included drain connection, power connection, plus test and clean up.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair in St. Charles →
Before
AfterWest Chicago kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen drain cleaning
What changed: the same sink draining clear after the kitchen line was cleaned with a drain cable.
Kitchen Drain Cleaning in West Chicago →
Before
AfterWest Chicago kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in soft white with brushed nickel bar pulls, black honed granite counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in West Chicago →How the install goes
- 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 installWe fix the problem or install the new unit and connect it, usually in one visit.
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair questions from West Chicago homeowners
Can I have a disposal on a septic system?
It adds solids to the tank. Ask your septic professional; if they agree, we can install a septic-rated unit.
What does disposal installation or repair cost?
It depends on the unit size, whether the drain or power needs changes and the repair itself. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Where is the reset button?
On the bottom of most disposals, usually a small red button. Press it after the unit cools down.
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.
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.
West Chicago contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors and subcontractors working in West Chicago must be registered with the City (insurance, licensing and bonding are checked). We take care of that before work starts.
What is the West Chicago building department phone number?
Permits go through Community Development Department. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for disposal repair or replacement in West Chicago?
It depends on the scope. West Chicago's rule in short: West Chicago requires a building permit for certain home improvement and remodeling projects; the city publishes an Additions & Remodeling permit guide with a submittal checklist. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department.
Do you work in my part of West Chicago?
Yes. Our crews work across West Chicago — ZIP 60185 — and nearby Winfield, Carol Stream, St. Charles.
Working in West Chicago
- A lot of West Chicago kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most West Chicago homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60185
Garbage Disposal Installation & Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in West Chicago
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.