A Byers disposal that hums, won't start or leaks usually has a jam, a tripped reset, a worn seal or a failing motor. A plumber can tell which, check the kitchen drain and help you decide whether a disposal suits your home's wastewater setup. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Byers.
About Byers
Byers is a farming and ranching town about 40 miles east of Denver on I-70, originally called Bijou and known for its Fourth of July parade and rodeo. Its housing is older than most of the eastern I-70 corridor: Census survey figures give a median build year of 1983, with roughly 45% of homes built before 1980. In those older houses, a kitchen drain may have years of buildup that makes even a working disposal drain slowly.
Water and sewer providers for Byers couldn't be verified. Check your utility bill, or ask Arapahoe County, to learn how your home is served. If you pay a sewer charge, your kitchen drains to a public system. If your home is not on municipal sewer, a disposal adds food solids to your private onsite wastewater system, so talk with a plumber before relying on one heavily. Byers is unincorporated, so plumbing permits go through the Arapahoe County Building Division.
What to do now
- Shut off power. Turn off the switch, then unplug the unit or turn off its breaker.
- Look inside. Use a flashlight and tongs to remove any object in the chamber.
- Free the plate. Turn the hex socket under the unit with the correct wrench until it spins.
- Reset the motor. Let it cool for a few minutes, then press the reset button.
- Test for leaks. Run cold water briefly and check underneath.
- Call if it fails. Constant humming, leaks from the housing or a tripping breaker need a plumber.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jam or seized bearings |
| No sound | Reset, breaker, switch or motor |
| Leak at the sink opening | Worn flange seal |
| Leak at the side | Loose drain or dishwasher hose |
| Leak from the base | Internal seal failure |
| Grinds fine, drains slowly | Buildup in an older kitchen line |
Cost factors
- Repairing the existing unit or installing a new one
- Motor size and build of the replacement
- Older drain parts that may need replacing when disturbed
- Electrical work for hardwired units
- Travel time to Byers and outlying farms
If your home turns out to be on a private system, the plumber may also talk through removing the disposal instead of replacing it.
Garbage Disposals questions in Byers
Should I use a disposal in a home that isn't on municipal sewer?
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
Can the drain pipes in an older house handle a disposal?
Is it safe to reach into the disposal to pull out a jammed object?
More plumbing services in Byers
Garbage Disposals nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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