A garbage disposal is one of those appliances you don’t think about until it jams with a sink full of dishwater. Most problems have a clear cause and a straightforward fix. K&K Plumbing handles garbage disposal repair and installation for all major brands, including InSinkErator, Moen and Waste King, and we’ll tell you honestly whether the unit you have is worth saving.
What it’s doing tells you what’s wrong
Humming but not grinding
The motor has power but the plate is jammed. With the power off at the switch and breaker, use the hex key on the bottom of the unit to free it, then press the reset button.
Completely silent
Check the reset button and the breaker first. If neither helps, the switch, wiring, or motor may have failed.
Leaking under the sink
Where the water comes from matters:
- Top (sink flange): the plumber’s putty or gasket has failed, or the mounting has loosened. Usually repairable.
- Side (dishwasher or drain connection): a loose clamp or worn gasket. Usually repairable.
- Bottom (housing): internal seals have failed and the unit typically needs replacing.
Draining slowly or backing up
The blockage is often in the drain line or trap just past the disposal, not the disposal itself. Persistent backups may mean the kitchen branch line needs professional drain cleaning.
Loud grinding or rattling
Something hard, like a utensil or bottle cap, is inside. Power off, then remove it with tongs.
Bad odors
Food residue builds up under the splash guard and on the grinding chamber. Ice cubes and citrus peels help, but persistent odor may point to a drain issue.
Our article on warning signs your disposal needs repair covers more symptoms.
What not to put down the disposal
- Grease, oil and fat
- Coffee grounds and eggshells in large amounts
- Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks and onion skins
- Pasta and rice, which swell
- Bones and fruit pits
- Anything that isn’t food
Run cold water before, during, and for a little while after grinding to carry waste through the line.
Choosing a new disposal
When replacement is the right call, we’ll help you pick a unit that fits how you cook.
- Horsepower: Higher horsepower handles tougher food waste and jams less. Smaller units suit light use.
- Feed type: Continuous feed is most common. Batch feed runs only with the cover in place, which some households prefer for safety.
- Noise insulation: Better units are noticeably quieter.
- Septic compatibility: Important for many homes outside city sewer service.
- Size: The unit must fit under the sink alongside the dishwasher drain and any filtration system.
Our installation steps
- Shut off power and disconnect the old unit’s drain and dishwasher connections.
- Remove the old mounting assembly and clean the sink opening.
- Seat the new sink flange with a fresh seal.
- Mount the disposal and connect the discharge to the trap.
- Remove the dishwasher knockout plug if a dishwasher connects, a step that’s easy to miss.
- Connect power according to the unit’s requirements.
- Run water and test for leaks at every joint, then run a test grind.
Safety reminders for every household
- Always turn off the switch, and the breaker if you are working underneath, before reaching anywhere near the unit.
- Never put a hand inside the grinding chamber; use tongs or pliers.
- Don’t pour chemical drain cleaners into a disposal, since they can damage seals and splash back.
- Keep the splash guard in place to stop utensils from falling in.
Septic homes in Central Florida
Many properties outside city limits in Sumter, Marion and Lake counties rely on septic systems. A disposal adds solids to the tank, so pumping may be needed more often. We’ll recommend septic-friendly models and habits if that applies to your home.
Kitchen work that goes together
If your kitchen faucet is also dripping, our faucet installation service can take care of it on the same visit. A full kitchen update? We handle plumbing for remodels too.
Local service
We repair and replace disposals for homeowners in Wildwood, Leesburg, and across all eight counties we serve.
Get the kitchen sink working again
Don’t keep running a disposal that’s jammed or leaking. Call or text 352-810-9472 and K&K Plumbing will diagnose the problem and give you an upfront price for the repair or replacement.
What’s Included
- Jam clearing and motor reset
- Leak diagnosis at flange, connections and body
- Drain line clearing below the disposal
- Dishwasher drain connection
- Sink flange and mounting ring replacement
- New disposal installation, all major brands
- Horsepower and model selection
- Septic-compatible options
- Old unit removal
Why Choose K&K Plumbing for Garbage Disposal Install & Repair?
- Honest advice when repair is not worth it
- Drain and dishwasher connections checked
- Licensed Florida plumbers
- Upfront pricing
- Clean kitchen when we leave