Garbage Disposal Repairs & Installations Serving Round Lake, IL
When your garbage disposal stops working, it quickly becomes a hassle, especially after a long day or during rush hour in the kitchen. Whether it’s stuck, leaking from underneath, silent when switched on, or making rough grinding noises, our team usually can get it working again the same day.
Give us a call at 224-308-1299, and I’ll walk you through whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense. We base that on how old the disposal is, exactly what’s wrong, and the cost comparison between repair and new installation. For example, if your disposal’s motor is toasted after a decade of service, swapping it for a new one is the way to go. If the jam is just a stuck piece of food on a newer unit, we’ll clear it out quickly. We provide upfront quotes so there are no surprises.
We also offer drain cleaning when the disposal is fine but the pipes below get clogged with grease or debris. Considering a kitchen update? We also handle kitchen remodels and faucet and fixture installations to keep everything running smoothly.
Our Garbage Disposal Services
Garbage Disposal Repair
We fix the common issues you’ll run into, such as a motor humming with no grinding (often a jammed plate—try the hex wrench on the bottom first), reset buttons that trip and won’t hold, leaks at the sink flange or discharge pipe, worn splash guards, or disposals that power on but don’t grind effectively. We diagnose carefully before recommending replacement. Many fixes are affordable and quick.
If we spot that your unit is beyond repair or it’s older and a new unit would save money long term, we’ll explain your options and costs. We’re experienced with all major brands including InSinkErator, Waste King (Moen), GE, KitchenAid, and others.
Garbage Disposal Replacement
When it’s time to retire your disposal—if it’s over 10 years old, leaking from the housing itself, or has a burnt-out motor—we remove the old unit, check the sink flange and mounting hardware for damage, replace any rusted parts, and install your new disposal. We handle dishwasher drain hookups, verify electrical connections whether hardwired or plug-in, and test everything before wrapping up.
For horsepower, 1/2 HP suits most homes, while 3/4 HP is great for frequent use and helps reduce jams. 1 HP models are perfect for larger families or busy kitchens and tend to run quieter since the motor isn’t maxed out. If noise is a concern—especially in open-concept kitchens—we can suggest models with sound dampening features. We’ll review these choices with you on site.
New Garbage Disposal Installation
Adding a disposal to a sink without one takes more work than a swap-out. We need to modify the drain opening to fit the disposal mount, install or coordinate the electrical outlet or switch (usually an electrician’s job), connect the dishwasher drain line if you have one, and set up the discharge line properly. We handle all the plumbing parts and let you know upfront if electrical work is required.
Drain Clog Clearing Related to Disposals
If your kitchen drain is slow or backs up while running the disposal, the issue might be in the drainpipe rather than the disposal itself. Grease, soap scum, and food bits can build up in the P-trap or lines beneath. We use professional snaking equipment to clear the drain and check connections. If both the disposal and pipes are causing problems, we fix both to get your sink flowing freely again.
Warning Signs Your Disposal Needs Attention
- Unit hums but won’t grind (likely jammed)
- No sound or action when switched on
- Unusual grinding, rattling, or squealing noises
- Leaks from beneath the unit housing
- Leaks at the sink flange or discharge pipe
- Kitchen drain runs slow or backs up
- Reset button keeps tripping
- Lingering bad smells despite cleaning
- Disposal is over 10 years old
Items to Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal
- Grease, oils, and fats — they solidify and clog pipes
- Fibrous vegetables — celery stalks, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes
- Bulk starchy foods — pasta, rice, and potato peels that swell in water
- Bones and fruit pits — can damage blades
- Eggshells — membranes can wrap around the shredder
- Large amounts of coffee grounds — cause buildup and clogs
- Always run cold water during and for 15 seconds after use to flush debris
Frequently Asked Questions About Garbage Disposals
Not always. A humming sound usually means the motor’s powered but something is jamming the grinding plate. First, turn off the switch. Then, use the hex wrench (often attached underneath) to turn the plate manually back and forth. Use tongs or pliers—not your fingers—to clear any stuck debris inside the drain. If it still won’t work or jams again, call us at 224-308-1299.
If your unit is fairly new—under 5 or 6 years—and the problem is something fixable like a jam or a leak, repairs typically make sense. But if it’s older, over 10 years, or has a burnt-out motor, swapping it out usually saves money and trouble in the long run. We’ll give you honest advice with upfront pricing so you can decide.
Normally between 8 and 15 years, depending on brand, how often you use it, and what gets put through it. Heavy use, fibrous or starchy foods, and frequent jams shorten the lifespan. InSinkErator and Waste King are the go-to brands around here, offering reliable options at different price points.
Yes, in most cases. Installing a disposal where there wasn’t one before requires altering the sink drain to fit the disposal flange and adding electrical power, usually an outlet or wall switch under the sink. We handle all the plumbing and coordinate electrical work as needed. It’s a popular upgrade during kitchen renovations.