A Clarkston disposal that hums, stays silent or leaks usually has a jam, a tripped reset, a worn gasket or a failed motor. In the city's many older homes, the drain behind it may need clearing too. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston conditions
Clarkston is a small inner-ring DeKalb city just outside I-285, often called the most diverse square mile in America. Its housing is largely 1970s and 1980s apartments and homes: Census survey figures give a median build year of 1979, with about 53% of homes built before 1980 and roughly 31% in the 1970s. Older drains narrow with buildup, and kitchens that cook from scratch every day send plenty of rice and peelings their way. DeKalb County manages water and sewer, and the city directs sewage problems to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200. Clarkston requires a permit for fixture work involving piping alterations, so ask your plumber whether your job needs one.
What to do right now
- Cut the power. Turn off the wall switch, then unplug the unit or switch off its breaker.
- Look, don't grab. A flashlight shows what's in the chamber; tongs remove it safely.
- Free the plate from below. The wrench that came with the unit fits the center socket underneath; rock it back and forth.
- Reset the overload. Press the button on the underside, then test with cold water flowing.
- Pause the dishwasher. If it drains through the disposal, its water has nowhere to go.
- Scrape starches into the trash. Rice and noodles pack into older Clarkston drains quickly.
- Skip the chemicals. Drain openers rarely clear a disposal clog and can damage its seals.
- Stop if it hums again. Repeated humming can burn out the motor; leave it off and call.
Common symptoms explained
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No sound at all | Tripped reset, breaker, switch or failed motor |
| Other fixtures gurgle too | Main drain or sewer lateral, not the disposal |
| Sink stays slow after the fix | Buildup in an older drain line behind the wall |
| Water from the bottom | Internal seal failure; the unit usually needs replacing |
| Hums, won't turn | Something wedged between the plate and the grinding ring |
| Dishwasher water in the sink | Clogged disposal inlet or trap, or a knockout plug left in |
What affects the cost
- Repair or replacement, the biggest single factor.
- Disposal grade: entry, mid-size or heavy-duty motor.
- Condition of the trap and tailpiece, especially in older kitchens.
- Electrical hookup, cord-and-plug or hardwired.
- Any permit the job requires, and its inspection.
Garbage Disposals questions in Clarkston
Who do I call if the backup is in the sewer and not the disposal?
Who handles the permit if a disposal job needs one here?
Will an older kitchen drain cause trouble for a new disposal?
Which kitchen scraps cause the most disposal jams?
More plumbing services in Clarkston
Garbage Disposals nearby
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