When a Union City disposal hums, won't start or leaks under the sink, the cause is usually a jam, a tripped reset, a failed seal or a worn motor. A plumber can fix or replace it and check the drain. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Union City.
Who runs the sewer in Union City?
Union City maintains its own system. The city buys treated water from the City of Atlanta, but its Water & Sewer Division operates the distribution system and the wastewater collection system, including lift stations and about 91 miles of sewer lines. Everything ground in a Union City kitchen travels through those lines. If a backup turns out to be in the city's main, the division can be reached at (770) 306-6855 during weekday business hours; the city doesn't publish a separate after-hours number on that page, so City Hall (770-964-2288) is the fallback. Anything between the sink and the city's line is for a plumber.
My home is fairly new. Why did the disposal quit?
Union City grew into a suburban bedroom community, and Census survey figures give a median build year of 2002, with about 23% of homes from before 1980. In the newer houses, the builder usually installed a light-duty disposal, and those wear out faster under daily use. Common failures are a hum without spin, a leak from the bottom of the housing, or repeated tripping. Since the drain pipe in a newer home is usually in good shape, replacing the unit with a sturdier one is often the fix. In the older homes near Union Street, the drain may need clearing as well.
Does disposal work need a permit here?
Union City's Community Development Office takes building, plumbing and other permit applications through the city's iWorQ portal; its Building Permits Division is at 5041 Union St, 770-515-7950. Disposal work isn't named specifically, so ask the plumber whether a replacement or new installation needs a permit.
Before the visit, turn the disposal off, unplug it or shut its breaker, and empty the cabinet beneath the sink. Skip chemical openers. If you can see the model label on the bottom of the unit, note the brand and model so the plumber can bring a suitable replacement if one is needed.
Keep the dishwasher off until the drain is working again.
A Union City note
Because the city maintains its own sewer, grease poured down a sink here becomes the city's problem as well as yours. Cool it, put it in a can and throw it out, and run cold water when grinding.
Garbage Disposals questions in Union City
Who do I call if the backup is in the sewer and not the disposal?
When does replacing the disposal make more sense than repairing it?
What should I do with cooking grease instead of rinsing it down?
Nothing happens when I flip the disposal switch. Where should I look?
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