A Lakewood disposal that hums, won't start or leaks under the cabinet usually has a jam, a tripped reset, a failed seal or a worn-out motor. A plumber can decide whether a repair makes sense or a new unit is the better buy, and check the drain line behind it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lakewood.
Lakewood kitchens and drains
Lakewood's housing has some age on it. Census survey figures put the median year built at 1977, and about 56% of homes were built before 1980. In those houses the kitchen drain often has decades of grease and food film along its walls, so a disposal that seems weak may really be pushing against a narrowed pipe. A plumber who replaces the unit will often run a cable or check flow down the branch line in the same visit.
Sewer service is a patchwork here. Depending on the address, wastewater may go to the Lakewood Water and Sewer Utility or to one of many districts, including Northwest Lakewood, East Lakewood, Daniels and East Jefferson County sanitation districts. All of them benefit when grease and stringy waste stay out of the drain. Most plumbing work in the city needs a permit from the Lakewood Building Department, so ask whether yours does.
Repair or replace?
| Situation | Usually a repair | Usually a replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Hums but won't spin | Object stuck, freed with a hex key | Hum returns with an empty chamber |
| Water under the sink | Loose sink flange or drain connection | Leak from the body of the unit |
| No power at all | Reset button, breaker or switch | Motor is dead after all three check out |
| Weak grinding | Clog in the trap or branch | Dull, corroded grinding parts on an older unit |
Warning signs to watch
- A burnt electrical smell when the motor starts
- The breaker trips each time the unit runs
- Dishwasher water backing into the sink
- Clanking that continues after the chamber is empty
- A sour odor that cleaning won't remove
Timing notes
Disposals tend to fail when they're working hardest: big holiday meals with peels, bones and greasy pans are a classic trigger. Hold off on stuffing the unit during busy cooking days and scrape scraps into the trash. On cold nights, a kitchen drain on an outside wall can slow if grease has already built up, so a sluggish winter sink deserves a look before it stops completely.
If a replacement is on the table, spring and fall are easy times to schedule one, since you can plan around the kitchen. When the unit fails outright with a sink full of water, though, waiting isn't much of an option. Bail the sink into a bucket and keep the dishwasher off until the drain is clear.
Garbage Disposals questions in Lakewood
Can the drain pipes in an older house handle a disposal?
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
What should never go into a garbage disposal?
More plumbing services in Lakewood
Garbage Disposals nearby
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