A disposal that hums but does not spin, leaks under the sink or has stopped altogether can wreck a dinner and flood a cabinet. We answer 24/7 in Savage for disposal emergencies, with same-day service when we can. Turn the switch off, do not put a hand in the drain and, if it is leaking, shut the water to the sink.
When a disposal problem is urgent
- Water leaking from the bottom of the unit
- A burning smell or smoke
- A sink full of standing water that will not drain
- A humming motor that will not turn
- A tripped breaker every time you run it
Always turn off the disposal at its switch and the breaker if needed before reaching in. A hand in a disposal is never safe.
Fix, reset or replace
| Symptom | Common cause | Our fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hums, no spin | Jammed flywheel | Free the flywheel, reset |
| Dead, no sound | Tripped reset or failed motor | Reset, test, replace if burned out |
| Leaks at the top | Bad sink flange seal | Reseat the flange |
| Leaks from the side | Hose or hose clamp | Replace the hose or clamp |
| Leaks from the bottom | Seal failure inside the unit | Replace the unit |
| Foul smell | Food buildup | Clean and flush |
Disposal leaking or dead?
Call the 24/7 line and we help you shut it down safely.
Many disposals last a decade. Once a seal fails at the bottom, it is time for a new one. Repairing the unit usually costs more than the repair is worth.
Installing a new disposal
- 1
Choose the horsepower
Most homes do well with a mid-range motor. Heavier use calls for more power.
- 2
Remove the old unit
We disconnect the drain and electrical, and release the mounting ring.
- 3
Mount and connect
We seal the flange, secure the new unit, connect the drain and the dishwasher inlet.
- 4
Test
We run water, check the seals and test for leaks.
Electrical connection is part of the job. Many installs use a plug on a dedicated cord, and some use a hardwired connection. We follow the manufacturer's directions.
What Savage kitchens throw at disposals
Hard water scale builds on the grinding chamber and drain, particularly with Savage's supply drawn largely from Burnsville at a reported 25 to 26 grains per gallon. Cold water running during use and for a few seconds after pushes grease and scraps down the line. Avoid pouring grease down any drain.
Disposals handle small food scraps, not coffee grounds in bulk, potato peels, bones or fibrous vegetable waste. When someone ignores the guidance, a jam or a clog follows.
What never to put down a disposal
Grease and oil harden in the trap. Fibrous stalks such as celery and corn husks wrap around the grinding parts. Coffee grounds pack into a paste. Bones, fruit pits and glass can jam or chip the blades. Pasta and rice swell and clog the line. Run cold water before, during and for about fifteen seconds after use to carry food through the trap.
A disposal that smells can be cleaned with ice and a little citrus peel. A disposal that smells because food is rotting in the drain line needs a plumber.
Cost factors
A repair and a full install are different jobs. We give a clear price before work starts.
A disposal is a household appliance and a replacement is not usually an insurance claim.
Our faucet repair and drain cleaning pages cover other kitchen trouble. We work in Savage and in Lakeville as well.
Code and sources
Under the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, the governing standard is Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, built on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with state amendments. This page is general information, not a code review of your home, and your city building department answers permit questions.
Common questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7, and same-day service is available when we can.
The blades are jammed. After turning it off, a hex key in the bottom socket can free it. We can do it for you.
A leak at the flange or hose can be fixed. A leak from the bottom means replacement.
Often around ten years, depending on use.
Yes. We install customer-supplied units.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120