Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Athens, AL & Surrounding Areas
Older disposals can struggle with daily use, especially in a busy North Alabama kitchen. If yours is loud, leaks, or can’t keep up, repair may help, but an updated unit can also be a smart upgrade.
Bobby Terry Company handles garbage disposal installation and repair in North Alabama, including replacing worn-out units and setting up new ones correctly. We’ll confirm the fit, check the wiring and drain connections, and get the sink running smoothly again. Call or send a message to schedule an appointment.
Quick Steps to Limit Damage Until the Plumber Arrives
Reduce water damage and avoid making the problem worse.If your garbage disposal is leaking, jammed, or the sink is backing up, a few small steps can prevent a bigger mess. These tips are safe for most homes and protect your cabinet and flooring while you wait for service.
If the sink is still filling or water is spreading, call us for garbage disposal repair as soon as you can so the issue doesn’t turn into cabinet damage or a larger drain problem.
Let us know what’s going on with your disposal and our team will reach out to schedule service at your convenience.
Our Plumbing Team Has Been Counted On For More Than 50 Years
Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation FAQs
Garbage disposal not working? Explore these common concerns to learn more.
A leak from the bottom usually means an internal seal has failed and water is coming through the motor housing. In most cases, that’s not a part-by-part repair.
Before you assume it’s the unit itself, check where the water is actually starting:
- Sink flange at the top (putty or seal issue)
- Dishwasher inlet hose (loose clamp or cracked hose)
- Drain connection (slip joint or gasket)
If the water is truly coming from the bottom of the disposal, replacement is typically the safest and most reliable repair. Call us as soon as possible to schedule a replacement.
Repair makes sense when the disposal is in decent shape and the problem is a simple jam, a loose connection, or a reset issue. Replacement is usually better when the unit is leaking, corroded, or failing repeatedly.
Replacement is often the better call when you see:
- Leaking from the bottom
- Rust or corrosion on the housing
- Frequent resets or breaker trips
- Loud grinding that doesn’t go away
- Weak performance even after clearing a jam
If you’re not sure, don’t worry, we can check the mounting, wiring, and drain connections and tell you whether the unit is worth saving.
In many homes, garbage disposal replacement can be handled in one visit, often in about 2 to 3 hours. Timing depends on how the old unit is mounted and whether any connections need updating.
Things that can affect the timeline include:
- A rusted or stuck mounting ring
- Wiring that needs attention
- Drain or dishwasher line adjustments
In many homes, garbage disposal replacement can be handled in one visit, often in about 2 to 3 hours. Timing depends on how the old unit is mounted and whether any connections need updating.
Horsepower affects how well a disposal handles daily use. The “best” size depends on how many people are in your home and how often the kitchen sink gets heavy use.
A simple guide:
- 1/3 HP: light use
- 1/2 HP: most households
- 3/4 HP: heavier daily use
- 1 HP: frequent cooking and lots of scraps
If your home uses a septic system, it’s smart to be cautious with disposals since they add more solids to the tank. Our plumbing team can recommend a good fit based on your sink setup and household needs.
A plunger can help when the sink is backed up, but it won’t fix a jammed disposal. Snaking through a disposal is risky and can damage the unit or the drain connection.
Safer first steps:
- Turn off the power to the disposal
- Press the reset button on the bottom
- Use the manual hex key (if your model has it) to free the flywheel
- Remove visible debris with tongs (not your hand)
If the sink still won’t drain or the disposal keeps backing up, it’s time to call us. We can clear the blockage safely and check the drain line and connections so it doesn’t keep returning.
Schedule Garbage Disposal Repair in Athens, AL & Surrounding Areas
Kitchen cleanup shouldn’t end with a backed-up sink or a disposal that won’t run. When the unit leaks, jams, or quits, get assistance before water reaches the cabinet.
Call our team for garbage disposal repair or replacement, plus new installations that fit your sink and wiring. In many cases, we can schedule your garbage disposal installer the same or next day! Contact us and we’ll set up a visit.