Garbage Disposal Service in Franklin Park, IL
When a garbage disposal breaks down, it quickly turns into a real hassle—especially in the evening after a long day or when you’ve got dinner prep piling up. Whether your unit is stuck, leaking underneath, dead on startup, or rattling like it swallowed gravel, our team typically gets it up and running the same day.
Call us at 224-268-1723 and we’ll provide a straightforward evaluation: is the disposal worth fixing, or is replacement the smarter choice? This depends on the unit’s age, the nature of the problem, and repair costs compared to a new model. For instance, a 12-year-old disposal with a burnt motor is usually better replaced, but a 3-year-old jammed by debris might just need a simple clearing. We’ll be upfront with you and quote prices before any work begins.
If your disposal is clear but the kitchen drain is sluggish, we also offer drain cleaning to clear buildup in the P-trap or pipes below. Planning a kitchen upgrade? Check our kitchen remodeling and faucet and fixture installation services to complete the job.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Disposal Repairs
We tackle common issues like a jammed grinding plate (motor hums but blades don’t move—try the hex wrench at the bottom first; if it keeps jamming, call us), reset buttons that won’t stay engaged, leaks around the sink flange or discharge outlet, worn splash guards, and disposals that run but don’t grind effectively due to worn parts.
Before suggesting pricey replacements, we pinpoint the exact problem. Many repairs cost less than you’d expect. If replacement makes more sense due to age or damage, we’ll compare costs and help you decide. We service all popular brands including InSinkErator, Waste King, GE, KitchenAid, and more.
Disposal Replacement
When your disposal is over a decade old, leaking from the main housing, or has a motor failure, swapping it out is the best move. We’ll remove the worn unit carefully, inspect and replace any rusty mounting parts, hook up dishwasher drains, verify electrical hookups, and make sure everything runs smoothly before we leave.
Choosing the right horsepower matters: ½ HP suits most homes; ¾ HP handles busier kitchens and prevents jams; 1 HP serves large families or heavy use and usually runs quieter. If noise is a concern—especially in open layouts—we’ll recommend quieter models with sound insulation when we install your new disposal.
New Disposal Installation
Adding a disposal to a sink that never had one isn’t just a swap out. We adjust the sink’s drain opening for the mounting flange, install or coordinate electrical outlets or switches, connect dishwasher drains if you have them, and make sure the discharge lines are set up correctly. We’ll handle all the plumbing and let you know if electrical work is needed before getting started.
Drain Clogs Linked to Disposals
If your kitchen drain slows or backs up when using the disposal, the problem might be downstream in the P-trap or drain pipes. Grease, bits of food, and soap can cause buildup inside these pipes. We use drain snaking to clear blockages and check the P-trap and dishwasher connections while we’re there. If both the disposal and drain need work, we cover it all.
Warning Signs Your Disposal Needs Attention
- Unit hums but blades don’t turn (jammed)
- No sound or action when switched on
- Squealing, grinding, or rattling noises
- Leaks from the bottom housing
- Drips at sink flange or drain connections
- Kitchen sink drains slowly or backs up
- Reset button trips repeatedly
- Lingering odors despite cleaning
- Disposal older than 10 years
Items to Keep Out of Your Disposal
- Grease, fats, and oils — these solidify inside pipes
- Stringy or fibrous foods — like celery, onion skins, corn husks
- Starchy foods in bulk — pasta, rice, potato skins swell and clog
- Bones and fruit pits — can damage internal parts
- Eggshells — membranes clog blades
- Coffee grounds in large amounts — form sludge
- Always run cold water during and 15 seconds after use
Garbage Disposal Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. A humming sound usually means the motor has power but the grinding mechanism is stuck. First, turn off the switch. Then, locate the hex socket on the bottom center of the unit and use the Allen wrench (often attached) to manually free the grinding plate by turning it back and forth. Use tongs or pliers to remove any stuck debris—never put your hand inside. If that doesn’t solve the problem or jams keep happening, call us at 224-268-1723.
If your disposal is under 5 or 6 years old and suffers a fixable issue like a jam or minor leak, repair is often the best route. For units over 10 years old, those that leak from the housing or have burned-out motors, replacement usually makes more financial sense. We’ll walk you through your options and prices so you can choose.
The typical lifespan is between 8 and 15 years depending on brand, use, and maintenance. Units that get heavy daily use, process lots of fibrous or starchy scraps, or jam frequently tend to wear out faster. InSinkErator and Waste King are common brands that offer durable units across various price points.
Yes, most sinks can be retrofitted with a disposal. It involves resizing or modifying the drain opening to install the mounting ring, running electrical power (usually an electrician’s job), and connecting dishwasher drains if needed. We’ll handle all plumbing and advise on any electrical work during the estimate. This upgrade pairs well with kitchen remodels.