A Brighton disposal that hums, refuses to start or leaks usually has a jam, a tripped reset, a worn seal or a failing motor. A plumber can tell which and check the kitchen drain while they're at it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Brighton.
Brighton background
Brighton, the Adams County seat, grew from a farming and railroad depot town into an urban part of the Front Range corridor. The City of Brighton runs the sewer system, and where your wastewater goes depends on which side of Tower Road you live on: west of Tower Road it flows to Metro Water Recovery's Northern Treatment Plant, east of it to the Town of Lochbuie's plant. Some newer subdivisions and nearby unincorporated areas with Brighton addresses are in metro or water districts, so check your bill if you're not sure who serves you.
What to do now
- Shut off power. Turn the switch off and unplug the unit or turn off its breaker.
- Check the chamber. Use a flashlight and tongs to remove silverware, bottle caps or bones.
- Turn the flywheel by hand. Insert a hex wrench in the bottom socket and rock it back and forth.
- Hit reset. Press the button on the bottom after the motor cools for a few minutes.
- Look for leaks. Lay a paper towel under the unit, run water and see where it gets wet.
- Know when to stop. If it still hums, leaks from the housing or trips the breaker, call a plumber.
Likely causes by symptom
| Symptom | What's usually behind it |
|---|---|
| Steady hum | Stuck plate or failing bearings |
| Dead silence | Reset, breaker, switch or motor |
| Leak at the sink | Old flange seal |
| Leak at the side outlet | Loose drain or dishwasher hose clamp |
| Leak from the base | Internal seal; replacement usually needed |
| Sink drains slowly | Clog in the trap or kitchen branch |
Cost factors
- Repairing the current unit versus putting in a new one
- The replacement's motor size and build
- Drain parts that need replacing
- Electrical work for a hardwired setup
- Clearing a clogged kitchen line or private sewer line
Brighton handles building permits and contractor licensing through OpenGov. Ask the plumber whether your disposal job needs a permit; a straight swap is often simpler than a job that changes the drain layout. If a backup reaches beyond the kitchen, a camera inspection can show whether the blockage sits in the line under your house or further out toward the city sewer, which tells you who should fix it.
Garbage Disposals questions in Brighton
Is it safe to reach into the disposal to pull out a jammed object?
How do I tell a disposal problem from a sewer line problem?
What should never go into a garbage disposal?
When does replacing the disposal make more sense than repairing it?
More plumbing services in Brighton
Garbage Disposals nearby
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