Westminster disposal trouble is usually a jam, a tripped overload, a leaking seal or a motor that's worn out. A plumber can tell which, and whether the kitchen drain or the sewer lateral is adding to the problem. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Westminster.
Westminster at a glance
From the neighborhoods around Standley Lake Regional Park to the streets near the Bowles House, Westminster's homes cover a range of ages, with a median build year of 1987 and about a third built before 1980, according to Census survey figures. The city owns about 411 miles of sanitary sewer pipe, and wastewater goes to its Big Dry Creek facility or to Metro Water Recovery. Property owners maintain the lateral from the house to the city main, including the tap. That means a clog anywhere between your kitchen and the street is usually yours to clear, and the city advises hiring a plumber for backups in the private line.
What to do now
- Cut the power. Turn off the wall switch, then unplug the unit or turn off its breaker before you look inside.
- Look, don't reach. Use a flashlight and tongs to remove anything stuck in the chamber. Never put your hand in.
- Turn the flywheel. Many units take an Allen wrench in the socket underneath. Work it back and forth to free a jam.
- Press reset. The small button on the bottom resets the motor after it overheats.
- Check for leaks. Put a dry towel under the unit, run water and see where drips start.
- Stop if it's still stuck. If the unit hums, leaks from the body or trips the breaker, call a plumber.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hum, no rotation | Jammed flywheel or seized bearings |
| Total silence | Tripped reset, breaker, bad switch or dead motor |
| Drip at the top | Sink flange plumber's putty failing |
| Drip from the side | Loose drain or dishwasher connection |
| Drip from the bottom | Internal seal failure; usually means replacement |
| Slow drain with a working grinder | Clog in the trap, branch or lateral |
Cost factors
- Whether a repair fixes it or a new unit is needed
- Size and quality of the replacement model
- New drain parts, a dishwasher knockout or a new flange
- Electrical: plug-in versus hardwired, or a faulty switch
- Clearing the kitchen line or the lateral if water won't drain
Westminster's permit rules say like-for-like fixture replacement doesn't need a permit, but modifying plumbing or relocating fixtures does. A plumber can tell you which applies.
Garbage Disposals questions in Westminster
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
Is it safe to reach into the disposal to pull out a jammed object?
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
Water keeps showing up in the sink cabinet. Where is it coming from?
More plumbing services in Westminster
Garbage Disposals nearby
Sources
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