When a Snellville disposal hums, sits silent or leaks, the cause is usually a jam, a tripped overload, a worn gasket or a failed motor. A few careful checks can clear simple jams; otherwise a plumber can repair or replace the unit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Snellville.
Snellville homes and service
Snellville is an established southern Gwinnett suburb on US 78. Census survey figures put the median build year at 1991, with about 30% of homes from before 1980. In the older homes, the kitchen drain may be narrowed with buildup; in newer ones, the disposal itself is usually the problem. Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources provides water and sewer, and its 24-hour line, 678.376.7000, handles problems on the public side. The City of Snellville issues its own building permits and does its own inspections, and plumbing subcontractors file affidavits with the city. Ask your plumber whether a disposal job needs a permit; the city inspector is at (770) 985-3513.
Before you call
- Switch it off and unplug it. If it's hardwired, shut the breaker that feeds it.
- Keep your hands out. Use a flashlight to look in, and tongs to lift out anything you can see.
- Try the hex socket. Fit the small wrench into the socket on the bottom and work it both ways until the plate turns.
- Pop the reset back in. The thermal overload trips when the motor strains; press it and try once more.
- No boiling water or caustics. Both can harm the seals and plastic drain parts.
- Find the drip. Dry the unit, run a little water and watch whether the drop forms at the top, side or bottom.
- Check other drains. If tubs or toilets are slow too, the problem is beyond the disposal.
- Stop if it hums again. Repeated humming can burn out the motor; leave it off and call.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water from the bottom | Internal seal failure; the unit usually needs replacing |
| Drip at the side | Worn dishwasher hose, clamp or discharge tube gasket |
| No sound at all | Tripped reset, breaker, switch or failed motor |
| Buzzing with the plate locked | A bone, pit or utensil jammed in the chamber |
| Sink stays slow after the fix | Buildup in an older drain line behind the wall |
| Other fixtures gurgle too | Main drain or sewer lateral, not the disposal |
What affects the cost
- Scope of work: unjamming and resealing versus installing a new disposal.
- Unit features: stainless parts and sound insulation cost more.
- Cabinet access: crowded sink bases slow the job.
- Wiring: a missing outlet or switch adds steps.
- Line clearing: if the kitchen drain is narrowed, cleaning it adds time.
Garbage Disposals questions in Snellville
Who handles the permit if a disposal job needs one here?
Will an older kitchen drain cause trouble for a new disposal?
Who do I call if the backup is in the sewer and not the disposal?
Should I pour a drain opener into a sink that has a disposal?
More plumbing services in Snellville
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