A Lyons 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 and check the kitchen drain and sewer line behind it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lyons.
Lyons background
Lyons is a small foothills town in northern Boulder County where North and South St. Vrain Creeks meet, ringed by red sandstone hills. The Town operates its own wastewater treatment plant and maintains its sewer mains, including jet cleaning and video inspection. Homeowners and businesses are responsible for the sewer line running from their property to the Town main, and the Town specifically asks residents not to pour grease down drains or flush wipes, even ones labeled flushable. For a disposal owner, that grease request is the one to take to heart.
Building permits in Lyons are handled by SAFEbuilt on the Town's behalf through the Community Core portal; Boulder County has no building code jurisdiction inside the town.
What to do now
- Turn off power. Flip the switch off and unplug the unit or turn off the breaker.
- Find the jam. Use a flashlight and tongs to remove anything inside the chamber.
- Turn the flywheel. Fit the hex wrench into the bottom socket and rock it until the plate moves.
- Reset. Let the motor cool, then press the button on the underside.
- Check for leaks. Run cold water and watch the top, side and bottom of the unit.
- Call a plumber. If it still hums, leaks from the housing or trips the breaker, stop there.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hum, no spin | Jammed plate or worn bearings |
| Silence | Reset, breaker, switch or motor |
| Leak at the sink | Worn flange seal |
| Leak at the side | Loose drain or dishwasher hose |
| Leak from the base | Internal seal failure |
| Slow sink, gurgling elsewhere | Grease clog in the line to the Town main |
Cost factors
- Repairing the unit or replacing it
- Motor size and build of the new unit
- Drain parts that need replacing
- Electrical work for hardwired setups
- Clearing grease from the kitchen branch or the line to the main
Since the line to the Town main is the owner's responsibility, a disposal used heavily with grease can end up costing more than the unit itself. Small scraps, cold water and grease in the trash keep that line clear.
Garbage Disposals questions in Lyons
If I run hot water, can bacon grease go down the disposal?
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
Is it safe to reach into the disposal to pull out a jammed object?
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
More plumbing services in Lyons
Garbage Disposals nearby
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