A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin, trips its reset button every time you use it, drips into the sink cabinet, or lets the kitchen sink back up is one of the most common calls we get. Many disposal problems are a quick fix. When the unit itself has failed, replacing it is usually a short job.
Drain Edge Rooter repairs, unclogs, and installs garbage disposals for Colton homes, rentals, and small businesses. We dispatch from our shop at 619 E South St, Rialto, CA 92376, just west of Colton, and owner Isaiah Infante runs every job under California C-36 plumbing contractor license #1078977.
Disposal jammed, leaking, or dead? Call (909) 927-3194. Do not put your hand in the disposal, and do not pour chemical drain cleaner into it.
Why Disposals Fail
Disposals wear out on a fairly predictable path. Grinding components dull and rust, seals inside the unit fail, and water starts leaking from the bottom of the housing. That bottom leak is the classic sign the disposal is done. Leaks from the sink flange or the side drain connection, on the other hand, are usually repairable.
In Colton, two local factors come up often. Hard water leaves mineral deposits in the grinding chamber and on the sink flange, and in older homes in South Colton and around downtown the kitchen drain line behind the wall is often galvanized or cast iron that has narrowed with buildup. A disposal can grind food perfectly well and still send it into a drain that cannot carry it, so the sink backs up and the disposal gets the blame.
Disposal Problems We Fix
- Hums but will not turn: jammed flywheel, often freed without replacing the unit
- No power at all: tripped internal reset, GFCI, breaker, switch, or a failed motor
- Leaking from the sink flange: plumber’s putty or mounting assembly failure
- Leaking from the side: dishwasher hose or drain elbow connection
- Leaking from the bottom: internal seal failure, which means replacement
- Sink drains slowly or backs up: clog in the trap or the drain line past the disposal
- Bad smells: food buildup in the chamber and under the splash guard
Disposal Installation and Replacement
We install the major brands, including InSinkErator and others, and we install units homeowners buy themselves. A replacement includes:
- Removing the old unit and disconnecting the electrical safely
- New mounting assembly and sink flange sealed to the sink
- Reconnecting the dishwasher drain, including knocking out the dishwasher plug on new units
- New trap and drain connections where the old ones are worn
- Testing for leaks and checking the unit runs and drains correctly
- Hauling away the old disposal
Choosing a size? A 1/2-horsepower unit is fine for light use, while a 3/4-horsepower unit handles a busy family kitchen better. We will match it to how you cook, not to the most expensive model on the shelf.
When the Problem Is the Drain, Not the Disposal
If the sink backs up even with a working disposal, or the dishwasher drains into the sink, the kitchen line likely needs cleaning. We clear it with a cable or, for grease-heavy lines, recommend hydro jetting in Colton. For one-off clogs, see drain cleaning in Colton.
Where We Work in Colton
- South Colton and downtown: older kitchens with narrowed galvanized or cast-iron drains
- Mt. Vernon Avenue and Valley Boulevard: rentals and small restaurants and shops
- Cooley Ranch and north Colton: original builder disposals at end of life
- Reche Canyon: kitchen upgrades and larger units
We serve the entire 92324 ZIP code and nearby Grand Terrace and Loma Linda.
Simple Things to Try First
Before you call, there are a couple of safe checks. First, make sure the disposal is plugged in and the wall switch and any GFCI outlet under the sink or on the counter have not tripped. Second, with the switch turned off, press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. If it hums but will not turn, most disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom. Turning it back and forth with the Allen wrench that came with the unit can free a jam. Never reach into the chamber with your hand, and never use chemical drain openers in a disposal. If none of that works, or water is leaking from the unit itself, give us a call and we will take it from there. We will also tell you if it is worth repairing or time to replace.
Pricing
Jam clearing and reset problems are usually a flat service price. Replacements depend on the unit you choose and whether the drain connections or electrical need updating. You get the price before we start.
Garbage Disposal FAQ
What should never go in a disposal?
Grease and oil, fibrous foods like celery and corn husks, potato peels in quantity, coffee grounds, eggshells in bulk, and anything that is not food.
Can a disposal be repaired if it leaks from the bottom?
No. A bottom leak means internal seals have failed. Replacement is the fix.
Do I need a disposal at all?
No. Some homeowners prefer to remove one. We can convert the sink to a standard drain.
Why does my disposal smell?
Food collects under the rubber splash guard and in the chamber. Cleaning the guard and running cold water while grinding helps.
Garbage disposal repair and installation in Colton: local notes
We work across Colton, including downtown along La Cadena Drive, South Colton, Reche Canyon and Cooley Ranch. The area has older homes near downtown and the rail lines, mid-century neighborhoods and newer tracts in Reche Canyon.
Disposal jams in Colton kitchens often go hand in hand with grease buildup in the kitchen line, so we check the drain as well as the unit.
Whether you are near the Colton Crossing rail junction, Slover Mountain and Fleming Park or anywhere else in Colton, we are open 24/7, so call anytime at (909) 927-3194.
Need Disposal Help in Colton?
Call (909) 927-3194. Also see all plumbing services in Colton, faucet repair in Colton, or disposal service in Rialto and Fontana.
Drain Edge Rooter · 619 E South St, Rialto, CA 92376 · (909) 927-3194 · CA C-36 #1078977 · about 139 five-star Google reviews