Ok so I have had this ongoing problem with my garbage disposal. Some of you have tried to help me with this problem before. Thanks for the feedback!

When I turn on the switch, the disposal "hums" but doesn't actually work. I have tried to manually force the unit to turn to loosen any blockage( as suggested by some here on the forum) but no luck. I had a plumber come to look at it last week and he instantly told me the motor was shot and I needed a new unit. He barely looked at it. He estimated a new one at about $800 depending on the type of model.

I didn't really trust his judgement so I may get a second opinion but first:

1. I know I didn't go into too much detail but does his diagnosis of the unit seem correct? Does the estimate of a new unit sound right?

2. If I don't repair the disposal and leave it as is, will that cause problems with the sink? Obviously I won't be throwing food and debris in it since it is not working.

3. Can I have the disposal taken out and just have a regular sink with no disposal?

4. Can I do any of this on my own without professional help?

Thanks in advance to anyone with advice!!

P.S. The unit is about 15 years old and made by Waste King.

Bill
New York

The price seems high but I don't know the labor rates in your area. You can buy a good unit at any home center and they come in different levels of quality and power. For $200 you should be getting a top of the line unit and it will likely install into the old collar currently in the sink. Sure you can remove the disposal completely and go back to just a sink drain, that's what it once was. You'll need a new bask drain and some pvc to connect to the trap.

Hi Bill,

Replacing G/D is very simple if you have some tools you can do it, price wise depends on your need it is from $100 to $200 in my area depends on the HP.

As Bob says yes you can remove the G/D and go back to just a sink drain.

I would recommend to change the G/D with a new one, please click on the links below will give you an idea how to remove and install G/D. Good luck.

John

Installing a Garbage Disposer Tutorial

How To & Help - How to Replace a Garbage Disposal

Hi Billly,

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1. I know I didn't go into too much detail but does his diagnosis of the unit seem correct? Does the estimate of a new unit sound right?

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If he didn't attempt to free up the table then He didn't complete the call or give you a decent diagnosis. How does he know the motor's shot unless he tested the windings? We can't give estimates on costs. Too many variables.

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2. If I don't repair the disposal and leave it as is, will that cause problems with the sink? Obviously I won't be throwing food and debris in it since it is not working.

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Might smell a bit but will still drain OK.

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3. Can I have the disposal taken out and just have a regular sink with no disposal?

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Yes, but if you're discharging a dishwasher into the disposal you will have to install a branch tailpiece,(see image) in its place, otherwise a regular tailpiece will do.

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4. Can I do any of this on my own without professional help?

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You should be able install a new unit the easy way if you retain the old drain and simply snap a new disposal of the same make and model into it.
BUT WAIT!! Let me show you how I unstick a disposal. I carry a plumbers helper in my truck but I've never used it to plunge out a blockage. I use the handle to free the blades. Most stuck disposals have a pop top or a small nail or screw caught between the table and the wall. First flip on and off the switch to be sure it still hums. If not then reset the overload button on the bottom
Place a plumger or a broom handle down behind the blade and lever the table counterclockage. If it starts to move even a little bit put more muscle into it until it turns free. Now shine a light down in there and pick out whatever was blocking the table from turning. Turn on the switch, Disposal working now? Good luck, tom

How do I choose a new disposal? What horsepower is right and what other features should I look for?

Thanks
Bill

Warning Unjaming a Garbage Disposal
Make sure the switch is off (or unplug the unit under the sink)

Look for the wrench that came with your disposer It may be taped to the side of the unit or to the cabinet wall. If not, dig through your junk drawer. It's a rod maybe 6 inches long with the ends bent over at a 45 degree angle. The rod is a hexagon shape. You stick the short end into the matching hole in the bottom center of the disposal and use the long end to turn it back and forth until you break free whatever's got the disposal stuck.

Lacking the wrench, get a flashlight and just look into the unit, and then just reach in there and dig out whatever's in there. Generally you will find a small piece of bone or what-have-you that's stuck in bottom. Sometimes something like needle-nosed pliers helps. (Note: If you have used caustic drain cleaners in the unit you will need to flush them out thoroughly before reaching in.)

If the above doesn’t work, get a broom handle and stick it in the unit. If you look in there you will see two or four small projections on the bottom plate that spins around. The idea with the broom handle is to pry on one of those projections to force the plate to move. Work it back and forth until the plate spins free.

Sometimes the unit will overload while stuck (because you don't turn it off quickly enough when you realize it's stalled). In that case a button on the side of the unit will pop out (circuit breaker). You then need to find the button and push it back in.

For a normal house hold 1/2 HP works good or 3/4 HP, I have BADGER G/D 1/2 HP power installed for the last 5 years and it works fine, go to the home depot or Lowe's they, Thanks.

John

If you can't unjam the unit and do go shopping you'll see the 3 or 4 levels I mentioned. The more HP the more insulation and the higher the price. They all will grind but buy the best you can afford. I never buy for my own home in less than 1/2 HP.

Click on the link will give an idea, Thanks,

John

1/2 Horsepower Garbage Disposer

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Originally Posted by afaroo

Warning Unjaming a Garbage Disposal
Make sure the switch is off (or unplug the unit under the sink)

Look for the wrench that came with your disposer It may be taped to the side of the unit or to the cabinet wall. If not, dig through your junk drawer. It's a rod maybe 6 inches long with the ends bent over at a 45 degree angle. The rod is a hexagon shape. You stick the short end into the matching hole in the bottom center of the disposal and use the long end to turn it back and forth until you break free whatever's got the disposal stuck.

Lacking the wrench, get a flashlight and just look into the unit, and then just reach in there and dig out whatever's in there. Generally you will find a small piece of bone or what-have-you that's stuck in bottom. Sometimes something like needle-nosed pliers helps. (Note: If you have used caustic drain cleaners in the unit you will need to flush them out thoroughly before reaching in.)

If the above doesn’t work, get a broom handle and stick it in the unit. If you look in there you will see two or four small projections on the bottom plate that spins around. The idea with the broom handle is to pry on one of those projections to force the plate to move. Work it back and forth until the plate spins free.

Sometimes the unit will overload while stuck (because you don't turn it off quickly enough when you realize it's stalled). In that case a button on the side of the unit will pop out (circuit breaker). You then need to find the button and push it back in.

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Also if you can't find the factory supplied tool, if you have a standerd allen wrench set one of these will fit. There should be a place at bottom center of the disposal to insert an allen wrench and manually spin the blade of the disposal. As far as $800 that is outrageous, either do it yourself or get another quote. You should be able to get a whole new sink installed and plumbed for 800.

Most disposers have a fitting on the bottom of the unit that an allen wench will fit, about 3/8" I believe.

Insert the wrench in the hole and manually turn the disposal.

Sometimes something is jammed in the grinder, and by going back and forth with the wrench, you may dislodge the problem.

Worth a try.

I have found that the hex wrench does not give me enough leverage to turn the table when it's hung up real bad. Let me repeat my earlier post. Let me show you how I unstick a disposal. I carry a plumbers helper in my truck but I've never used it to plunge out a blockage. I use the handle to free the blades. Most stuck disposals have a pop top or a small nail or screw caught between the table and the wall. First flip on and off the switch to be sure it still hums. If not then reset the overload button on the bottom.
Place a plumger or a broom handle down behind the blade and lever the table counterclockage. If it starts to move even a little bit put more muscle into it until it turns free. Now shine a light down in there and pick out whatever was blocking the table from turning. Turn on the switch, Disposal working now? Good luck, tom

Price may not be too high if you know what kind of G/D he was going to supply. Also, you are not saying where it is going to be used: commercial kitchen, retirement home, hospital, hotel... or average SFD.

ISE SS 100 garbage disposer will set you back well over $1,000.00 a unit. Add labor on top of it...

Of course, if he was going to give you Badger 1 or Badger 5 unit purchased in Home Depot, that he was little too high. I think the top-of-the-line ISE Evolution G/D purchased at HD, sells for around $299.00.

Milo is correct. I guess I just assumed this was a residential good. If it is indeed commercial, they get spendy. This would also mean that you don't have that access at the bottom for manual rotation. But you can still try speedballs advice.

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Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

Milo is correct. I guess i just assumed this was a residential gd. If it is indeed commercial, they get spendy. This would also mean that you dont have that access at the bottom for manual rotation. But you can still try speedballs advice.

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No guys this is for a small townhouse. The current disposal is 1/3 horsepower.

UncleBilly,

Just go buy one 1/2 HP and you will be OK, for removal and installation go to my post #3 open the link and will give you an idea hot to remove and install, good luck.

John

You should be able install a new unit the easy way if you retain the old drain and simply snap a new disposal of the same make and model into it. Good luck, Tom

Tom said it: get same model from Home Depot, leave drain collar on the sink and just switch the body. It it's the easiest way.

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Tom said it: get same model from Home Depot, leave drain collar on the sink and just switch the body. It its the easiest way.

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Thanks to everyone fro their input. I bought a Badger 5 1/2 HP disposal at Home Depot during the week. Will try installing it over the weekend.

Thanks to "afaroo" too! I printed the instructions you linked and plan on using them.

If I have any problems I'll be sure to post them here.

Thanks to all who responded!!

Bill
New York

UncleBilly,

It is our pleasure to help, you will be please with it I have the same one installed in my house for the last 5 years it runs great with less noise, let us know if you need any help, good luck.

John