A Johns Creek disposal that hums, stays silent or leaks usually has a jammed plate, a tripped overload, a failed seal or a worn motor. In homes of this age, the unit is often due for replacement. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Johns Creek.
Our house is from the 1990s. Why is the disposal failing now?
Johns Creek is dominated by 1980s and 1990s subdivisions. About 67% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999, with a median build year of 1995 according to Census survey figures, and only around 4% predate 1980. Many kitchens have already replaced the original disposal once, and the second unit, often installed during a remodel, is now reaching the end of its run. Typical signs are a hum that ends with the reset button popping, a slow drip from the bottom of the housing, or grinding that takes far longer than it used to. The drain pipe behind the sink is usually modern and in fair shape, so the fix is more often about the unit than the line. If the kitchen branch has carried twenty-plus years of ground food, though, a plumber may suggest clearing it while the sink is open.
Who handles the sewer my sink drains into?
The city does not run water or sewer. Fulton County Public Works provides both across north Fulton, and the county's Tom Lowe Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Plant, which treats Chattahoochee River water for the area, sits in Johns Creek. If a backup turns out to be in the public sewer rather than your house drain, Fulton County's North Fulton sewer line is 404-612-3061. Clogs in the disposal, trap and kitchen branch are a plumber's job.
Do I need a permit to replace a disposal?
Johns Creek requires a city Trade Permit for any plumbing system work, applied for through its Customer Self-Service portal; permit technicians are at 678-512-3250. Whether a like-for-like disposal swap needs one depends on the scope, so ask the plumber before work starts. Adding a disposal where there wasn't one, or changing the drain layout, is more likely to need a permit.
Before the plumber arrives, switch the unit off, unplug it or shut its breaker, and clear out the sink cabinet. Skip chemical drain openers, which can damage the seals and leave a hazard for whoever opens the drain.
A Johns Creek note
When choosing a replacement, match it to how you cook. A household that grinds scraps after every meal is better served by a sturdier motor than the builder's original, and the dishwasher hose that connects to the disposal has usually aged alongside it, so have the plumber look at both.
Garbage Disposals questions in Johns Creek
When does replacing the disposal make more sense than repairing it?
Who handles the permit if a disposal job needs one here?
How can I get rid of a disposal smell without harsh chemicals?
Does motor size matter when picking a replacement disposal?
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