Most Lafayette disposal problems come from a jammed plate, a tripped reset, a worn seal or a tired motor. A plumber can pin down the cause and check that the kitchen drain behind it is flowing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lafayette.
Lafayette in brief
Lafayette is a suburban city in southeastern Boulder County that grew out of coal mining and farming, with its Old Town core along Public Road. The city runs its own water reclamation facility under Public Works, releasing treated water to Coal Creek. Every bit of grease and food waste that goes down a Lafayette sink ends up there, after passing through your own drain and service line first. For weekend or after-hours sewer backups, the city directs residents to Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444.
What to do now
- Kill the power. Switch off the disposal, then unplug it or flip its breaker off.
- Look inside. With a flashlight, check for spoons, bottle caps or bones. Remove them with tongs.
- Free the plate. Use the hex wrench in the socket under the unit and turn it until it spins freely.
- Press reset. Give the motor a few minutes to cool, then push the button on the bottom.
- Watch for drips. Run cold water and look for leaks at the top, side and bottom.
- Call for help. If the hum continues, the body leaks or the breaker trips, stop and call a plumber.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Common cause |
|---|---|
| Motor hums, plate stuck | Jam or failing bearings |
| Nothing happens | Reset, breaker, switch or motor |
| Wet cabinet after use | Flange, drain fitting or internal seal |
| Rattle when empty | Loose part or worn bearings |
| Water backs into the other basin | Clog at the trap or branch |
| Recurring smell | Food trapped under the splash guard or a slow drain |
What changes the cost
- Repairing the current unit or swapping in a new one
- The size and quality of the replacement
- Drain parts that are worn, cracked or corroded
- Electrical work such as a new cord or switch
- Clearing the kitchen line if water still won't drain
Lafayette's Building Division handles building permits; ask the plumber whether your disposal job needs one before work begins, especially if the drain or wiring is changing. If the disposal is fine but water still sits in the sink, the clog is further along, and the plumber can clear the kitchen branch or check the line toward the city sewer before it turns into a bigger backup.
Garbage Disposals questions in Lafayette
The disposal hums when I flip the switch but nothing turns. What does that mean?
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
What should never go into a garbage disposal?
How many years should a garbage disposal last?
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