Garbage Disposal Repair in Atlanta, GA
Jammed, humming, leaking or dead garbage disposals repaired or replaced across Metro Atlanta, with the price in writing first.
★★★★★4.7 rating · 400+ Google reviews
- 4.7 stars
400+ Google reviews - Licensed
& insured - Same-day
service - Diagnostic from $80
credited toward repair - 60-day parts
& labor warranty
A garbage disposal handles a surprising amount of abuse: fruit pits, fibrous peels, grease and the occasional spoon. It keeps the kitchen sink clear until the day it hums without grinding, leaks into the cabinet or refuses to turn on at all.
Many disposal problems are simple jams or tripped overloads that can be cleared in minutes. Others, such as a leak from the body of the unit or a burned-out motor, mean the disposal needs to be replaced. Mr. Fixer Appliance Repair has handled both for Metro Atlanta homeowners since 2017, and we will tell you honestly which situation you are in.
Call (678) 866-3669 or book online. If repair is not worth it, our technicians can install a new disposal and connect it to your sink and dishwasher drain.
Quick checks before you call
- Turn the disposal off at the wall switch and, if possible, unplug it or switch off the breaker before doing anything else.
- Never put your hand inside the disposal. Use tongs or pliers to remove objects you can see with a flashlight.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit if it has popped out.
- On many models, a hex wrench fits a socket in the center of the bottom. With power off, work it back and forth to free a jammed flywheel.
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into a disposal. They can damage seals and are dangerous if a technician needs to open the drain later.
Still not working? Call (678) 866-3669
Common garbage disposal problems we fix
Hums but doesn't grind
A steady hum with no grinding means power is reaching the motor, but the flywheel is jammed by a bone, pit or utensil. Running it in that state can trip the overload or burn out the motor, so switch it off right away.
Won't turn on at all
Silence usually means the internal overload has tripped, the wall switch or outlet has failed, or a breaker or GFCI has tripped. Some units are wired directly rather than plugged in, which affects how we test them.
Clogged sink or slow drain
Grease, coffee grounds, eggshell membranes, rice and pasta can form a paste in the drain trap. The disposal may run fine while the water backs up.
Leaking from the top
Water at the sink connection usually means the sink flange has loosened or the plumber's putty under it has failed. This is generally repairable.
Leaking from the side
A drip at the dishwasher inlet or discharge tube is often a loose clamp or worn gasket, both fixable.
Leaking from the bottom
Water dripping from the bottom of the unit usually means the internal seals have failed or the housing has corroded. In nearly all cases, replacing the disposal is the practical fix.
Grinding, rattling or metal noises
Loud metal-on-metal sounds typically mean something hard is inside, like a bottle cap or screw. Worn impeller lugs, a broken flywheel or loose mounting hardware can also make noise.
Bad smell
Food that collects under the splash guard and in the grinding chamber breaks down and smells. Regular cleaning usually fixes it, but a persistent odor can also signal a partial drain blockage.
Trips the reset button repeatedly
An overload that trips over and over often points to a motor that is overheating, a recurring jam or a unit that is too small for how the household uses it.
Dishwasher won't drain after install
After a new disposal goes in, the knockout plug inside the dishwasher inlet must be removed. If it is still there, the dishwasher has nowhere to drain.
Types we service
Continuous-feed disposals
The most common type, controlled by a wall switch. You run cold water, turn it on and feed scraps in while it runs.
Batch-feed disposals
These only start when a special stopper is placed in the drain opening. They are popular where safety around children is a priority.
Different motor sizes
Disposals commonly range from about 1/3 to 1 horsepower. Larger motors handle tougher scraps and jam less often, which matters when choosing a replacement.
Septic-friendly models
Some disposals are designed for homes on septic systems. We can help you pick and install the right model if yours needs replacing.
How your repair works
Reach out
Call or schedule online. Let us know whether the disposal hums, is silent, leaks or drains slowly.
Find the source
The technician checks power, the overload, the flywheel and the mounting, then traces any leak to the flange, the side connections or the body.
Repair or replace, in writing
We explain whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense and give you a written price. If you go ahead with a repair, the $80 diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair.
Do the work
We clear jams, reseal flanges and tighten connections, or install a new disposal and connect it to the sink and dishwasher drain.
Leak and drain test
We run water through the sink and the dishwasher drain to confirm there are no leaks. Repairs carry a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
Maintenance tips from our technicians
Run cold water
Run cold water before, during and for several seconds after grinding. Cold water keeps any fats solid so they are chopped and flushed rather than coating the pipes.
Feed it gradually
Grind about a cup of scraps at a time rather than a whole plate. Overloading is one of the most common causes of jams.
Know what to keep out
Avoid grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, corn husks, avocado pits, bones and stringy or starchy foods such as celery, potato peels, rice and pasta.
Clean it regularly
Every few weeks, grind a handful of ice cubes to knock buildup off the grind ring, then clean under the splash guard. Disposals do not have sharp blades, so ice cleans rather than sharpens.
Freshen naturally
Baking soda followed by vinegar, or a few small pieces of citrus peel, can reduce odors. A disposal cleaner made for the purpose also works.
Garbage Disposal Repair pricing
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $80, credited toward the repair |
| Repair (standard brands) | quoted in writing after diagnosis |
| Written estimate | Included, before any work |
| Warranty | 60 days parts and labor |
Premium and built-in brands are quoted on site. Full price list →
What affects the cost
The cost depends on whether the disposal can be repaired or must be replaced. Clearing a jam, resealing a flange or replacing a side gasket is a small job, while a leaking body or failed motor usually means a new unit, plus the cost of the disposal itself. We charge an $80 diagnostic fee that is credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and the written estimate comes before any work. Details are on our pricing page.
Repair or replace?
Most garbage disposals last roughly 8 to 15 years, depending on the model and how hard they are used. The 50 percent rule applies here as well: if a repair would cost more than half the price of a new disposal, replacement is the better buy. Because disposals cost less than most appliances, leaks from the body and burned-out motors are almost always replacement jobs, while jams, flange leaks and connection leaks are usually worth repairing.
Garbage Disposal Repair by brand
Garbage Disposal Repair near you
- Woodstock
- Acworth
- Alpharetta
- Atlanta
- Buckhead
- Sugar Hill
- Duluth
- Sandy Springs
- Brookhaven
- Braselton
- Smyrna
- Suwanee
- Druid Hills
- Dacula
- Hiram
- Marietta
- Roswell
- Buford
- Grayson
- Powder Springs
- Flowery Branch
- Milton
- Clarkston
- Dunwoody
- Decatur
- Doraville
- Chamblee
- Johns Creek
- Gainesville
- Kennesaw
- Dallas
- Cumming
- Tucker
- Norcross
- Peachtree Corners
- Stone Mountain
- Lilburn
- Snellville
- Lawrenceville
- Loganville
- Vinings
- East Cobb
- Midtown Atlanta
- Virginia-Highland
What customers say about our garbage disposal repair
400+ Google reviews, 4.7 average. Read more reviews →
Joseph helped us with a garbage disposal that stopped working. He was polite and efficient and made sure everything was working correctly before he left. Very satisfied.
My Samsung fridge was making this annoying buzzing sound for weeks. Oleg checked it out and found what was causing it. So much quieter now.
They repaired our refrigerator ice maker. Simple process from booking the appointment to getting it fixed. Would definitely use Mr. Fixer again.
Garbage Disposal Repair FAQs
How much does garbage disposal repair cost?
There is an $80 diagnostic fee, credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and a written estimate before any work. Repairs carry a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
My disposal is jammed or just humming. Can you fix it?
Often, yes. Jams and tripped overloads are common and usually fixable. If the motor has burned out, we will tell you honestly whether repair or replacement is the better value.
My disposal is leaking. Is it repairable?
It depends on where the water comes from. Leaks at the sink flange and side connections are usually fixable. A leak from the bottom or the body typically means replacement.
Which disposal brands do you service?
We service InSinkErator, Waste King, Moen and other common brands, including disposals sold under major appliance names.
Can you replace a disposal that can't be repaired?
Yes. We repair and install garbage disposals, and we can connect the new unit to your sink and dishwasher drain.
Is it safe to put my hand in the disposal?
No. Even with the switch off, someone could turn it on. Always cut power and use tongs or pliers to remove objects.
Why does my disposal smell?
Food trapped under the splash guard and in the chamber is the usual source. Grind ice, clean the splash guard and run plenty of cold water. A lasting smell may point to a slow drain.
Can I use drain cleaner in my disposal?
We recommend against it. Chemical cleaners can damage seals and metal parts, and they make the drain unsafe to work on.
Do you offer same-day disposal repair?
Yes, in most areas of Metro Atlanta, Monday through Friday.
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See refrigerator repair →Need garbage disposal repair today?
Call now or book online. Diagnostic from $80, credited toward your repair, plus a written estimate before any work starts.