Garbage disposal repair costs $230 on average, or between $140 and $310, depending on the problem.
Garbage disposal repair costs $230 on average, but most homeowners pay between $140 and $310. While simple problems like a bad sealing ring can be fixed easily, other issues, like broken grinders, require a professional.
Garbage disposals can be an excellent addition to a busy home, but they tend to take the sink with them when they malfunction. This means that even though your plumbing may not be affected, you may be unable to use your kitchen sink without repairing the disposal.
There are two main types of garbage disposals: batch feed and continuous feed. Batch feed disposals work by putting the food needed into the disposal and covering it with a special plate or cover. Then, you flip the switch like you normally would, and grinders pulverize the garbage. While they do exist, they are much less common than continuous feed garbage disposals.
Continuous feed disposals work by running continuously, as the name suggests. You flip a switch on the wall, and the unit runs without interruption until the switch is flipped again. Continuous feed disposals lack the safeguards of batch feed systems, but based on sales numbers, homeowners know and accept the increased risk. If your garbage disposal isn’t working, you first need to find out which type it is.
Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals don’t actually have blades like you’d find in blenders or food processors. Instead, they use dull hammers to grind—not chop—the food waste in your sink.
| Garbage Disposal Type | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Continuous feed | $80–$270 |
| Batch feed | $70–$310 |
Garbage disposals are composed of only a few moving parts, so they are not too complicated to repair. In fact, disposal issues can be divided into three categories: issues with the grinding assembly, issues with the electrical system, and issues with the unit’s sealing.
If there are any leaks in the disposal system, the problem is likely due to a bad sink flange or a broken gasket or seal. If the machine doesn’t activate, the issue is usually electrical, although mechanical problems can sometimes trigger an automatic shutoff. Which part needs repairing will come down to a diagnosis—arguably the most difficult part of a disposal repair.
| Part | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Motor | $70–$130 |
| Grinding plates | $15–$55 |
| Gasket/seal | $3–$20 |
| Sink flange | $8–$18 |
| Discharge pipe | $10–$25 |
| Reset button | $5–$20 |
| Power cord | $10–$30 |
If you can save the labor costs of a garbage disposal repair, you’ll save the largest amount of money when compared to the total project cost. Expect to pay a professional between $50 and $120 an hour to service the unit, plus a site fee of around $50 if they believe the work won’t take much time. While you may be able to replace a sink flange yourself, you shouldn’t attempt to replace any moving parts like the grinding plates and should call a pro. The price will be higher, but you shouldn’t take any chances considering it can be a dangerous appliance.
Maintaining your garbage disposal is relatively simple. If you want to maximize the life span of your disposal, follow the steps below:
Make sure there is no food or waste left in the disposal.
Do not put anything other than food inside.
Avoid allowing hard items like peach pits into the disposal.
Clean your garbage disposal thoroughly with cold water and run the unit until there is no food left.
Read the instruction manual to learn what cleaning products are best to use on the seals and gaskets.
Avoid running the unit for long periods of time because it will burn out the motor.
We recommend you try fixing the minor issues but stay away from anything involving the grinders or motor. If you are going to DIY anything electrical, make sure to shut off the power to the room and disconnect the garbage disposal. You may be able to swap the garbage disposal reset button or power cord without much trouble, but if the issue involves reaching into the disposal, you should call a pro.
A local garbage disposal professional can quickly diagnose your problem and offer a competitively-priced solution. When considering saving a few bucks, remember that when installed improperly, a garbage disposal is a dangerous piece of machinery. For all but the most basic problems, call a professional.
The best way to save money on a garbage disposal repair is to do the simple fixes yourself. But there are a few other ways to save some cash, including:
Shopping around for sales on parts.
Consider buying a new unit if there’s a big sale.
Ask your professional if they have inexpensive parts to swap.
Lump the repair into any other work you’re having done in the kitchen or home.
Whether you choose to repair your garbage disposal will depend on the problem. For minor issues like a bad seal, you can fix the unit for less than $10. If the motor unit is broken, which can easily cost $150, you may want to consider replacing the entire disposal if it’s getting on in years.
Garbage disposals last an average of seven years but can function well past 10 years. However, as time goes on and more food is ground, the grinding plates will slowly lose their edge and need replacing. A motor likely won’t last 10 or more years, but you should be able to get a minimum of five years at least, even under heavy usage.
The main issue with garbage disposals is clogging. This can mean a clogging of the pipes that expel the food along with water, or a clogging of the mechanical parts themselves. The problem lies in the solution because you can’t easily see clogs if they’re inside the system, and reaching in to dislodge stuck items is a risky proposal. Call a pro and ask what they would do, but if you can’t see the clog easily, and running the unit won’t free it, you need to let a professional handle the fix.
Garbage disposals can be considered bad for the environment due to their electricity usage, but good for the environment because they reduce the food waste sent to landfills. If everyone used a garbage disposal, it would tax the wastewater treatment facilities in that region, but if we had to choose one of the options, we’d say they are a net positive on the environment when used correctly.
The two main negatives of garbage disposals are they are a safety hazard in homes with children, and they frequently encounter blockage issues. While they might be annoying to fix and monitor, garbage disposals can significantly lower your trash use and are a great way to dispose of organic waste. While there are negatives, the vast majority of homeowners acknowledge the positives are enough to install a disposal in their home.
