Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Littleton, CO
Humming but not spinning, leaking underneath, or ready for a new unit. Same-day repair and installation.
A disposal that hums but doesn't spin is one of the most common calls we get, and it's usually a quicker fix than homeowners expect. Garbage disposal repair and installation in Littleton, CO covers jammed units, leaks, and full replacements when a unit is beyond repair or simply underpowered for the household.
Humming But Not Spinning
This almost always means the flywheel is jammed, often by a fibrous item like celery or a fruit pit that got past the blades. Most units have a reset button on the bottom and an Allen wrench socket underneath for manually freeing the flywheel, and clearing the jam this way resolves the majority of these calls without replacing anything.
If the unit doesn't hum at all and shows no sign of power, the issue is more likely electrical, either the reset button, a tripped breaker, or a wiring connection rather than the flywheel itself.
Disposal Not Working?
Most jams are cleared in a single visit.
Leaking From Underneath
A leak at the top, where the disposal connects to the sink flange, usually means the plumber's putty seal has failed and needs to be redone. A leak from the bottom of the unit itself means the internal seal has failed, and that's not repairable, since it means water is reaching the motor housing and the unit needs replacement.
Choosing A Replacement
Horsepower matters more than most homeowners expect: a 1/3 HP unit handles light, occasional use, while a 3/4 HP or larger unit handles a busy kitchen without jamming as often on tougher scraps. If your current unit jams frequently even with normal use, upgrading horsepower during a replacement is worth the modest cost difference. A hardwired unit's electrical connection is installed to NEC code, not just wired in however fits behind the cabinet.
What actually changes the price: whether it's a jam-clearing repair versus a seal failure requiring replacement, the horsepower and brand chosen for a new unit, and whether the mounting assembly needs replacing too. Want your real number? Call (303) 552-3896.
Batch Feed Vs. Continuous Feed
A continuous feed disposal runs while the switch is held on and is the more common residential setup. A batch feed unit runs only when its cover is placed and twisted into position, which some households prefer for young kids in the house since it can't be switched on accidentally.
Both types fail and get repaired the same way, but they're not interchangeable during a replacement without adjusting the switch wiring. If you're not sure which type you have, the presence of a wall switch versus a cover-activated top is the easiest way to tell.
Common Questions
My disposal hums but won't spin, what's wrong?
The flywheel is almost certainly jammed by food debris. Most units have a reset button and an Allen wrench socket underneath specifically to clear this without a service call, though we're glad to handle it if you'd rather not.
Is a leaking disposal always a replacement?
Not always. A leak at the top sink connection is usually a resealing job. A leak from the unit's body itself, though, means the internal seal has failed and isn't repairable.
What horsepower disposal do I need?
1/3 HP handles light, occasional use. A busy kitchen or a household that disposes of tougher scraps regularly does better with 3/4 HP or higher to avoid frequent jamming.
Can you install a disposal where there wasn't one before?
Yes, as long as there's an accessible drain connection and, for hardwired units, appropriate electrical access under the sink.
If a disposal jam turns out to be connected to a slow-draining kitchen sink beyond the unit itself, our drain cleaning and unclogging page covers that. For other kitchen or bathroom fixture issues, faucet and sink repair covers drips and low flow. Newer construction in Chatfield Bluffs often ships with a builder-grade disposal worth upgrading, which our Chatfield Bluffs plumbing page touches on.