Who Fixes Garbage Disposals? Here’s Who to Hire

When you notice a leak or an unusual noise coming from beneath the kitchen sink, you may start frantically searching to find who fixes garbage disposals. An appliance repair pro can fix a garbage disposal and will have the proper licensing and training to skillfully handle both electrical and plumbing that connect to this unique appliance. However, depending on the type of repair, plumbers and electricians can also fix garbage disposals. This appliance repair hiring guide will point you in the direction of the right pro for the job at hand.

Benefits of Hiring an Appliance Repair Pro for Garbage Disposal Repair

A garbage disposal is an appliance that connects to both your home’s plumbing and electricity to function properly. As such, there are many things that can go wrong with a garbage disposal. When it comes to who fixes garbage disposals, hiring an appliance repair pro near you is the best option. That’s because appliance repair pros have specialized knowledge and training to repair all parts of the garbage disposal, whether it’s an electrical issue, a leak, or a faulty part on the appliance itself.

Can I DIY Garbage Disposal Repair?

If you want to refresh the garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar or you need to snake the drain to clear out a clog, you can DIY. However, any other garbage disposal repairs should be left to the pros. From the wiring to the plumbing, several costly mistakes can happen if you aren’t skilled in electrical work or plumbing repair.

Rather than risking further damage to your garbage disposal, leave this job to the pros. You can expect to spend around $140 to $310 for garbage disposal repair costs.

Can I Hire a Plumber to Fix a Garbage Disposal?

Hiring a plumber is another smart choice for fixing a garbage disposal, because a plumber will be able to fix the appliance or make repairs to the surrounding plumbing. Some of the most common garbage disposal problems stem from leaks or clogs, both of which a plumber is trained and licensed to handle.

However, if your garbage disposal won’t turn on, the problem may be electrical. In that case, you’d need to hire an electrician or an appliance repair specialist.

Can I Hire an Electrician for Garbage Disposal Repair?

For electrical problems like a tripped outlet, a tripped circuit, or damaged wiring, you can hire an electrician to fix the garbage disposal. This pro will be able to safely fix the electrical issue and get the garbage disposal up and running again. 

If the tripped outlet or circuit happened because the garbage disposal is working too hard, there could be a clog or jam; in that case, you’d need an appliance repair pro or plumber to come take a look.

How Do Appliance Repair Pros Fix a Garbage Disposal?

Whether you hire an appliance repair specialist, a plumber, or an electrician, any pro will first need to diagnose the problem. They will check various parts of the garbage disposal and will also inspect whether the garbage disposal turns on, if it’s making any strange noises, if it’s draining slowly, or if the garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom. They may check for a clog or jammed object in the disposal or deeper in the pipes.

Ultimately, how the pro fixes the garbage disposal will vary depending on what’s wrong. They may need to use tools to remove jammed objects, a snake to pull out clogs, or a wrench to tighten any loose bolts around the appliance.

If any parts are worn out, an appliance repair pro will need to order replacement parts and install them. However, if your garbage disposal is more than 10 years old, it’s time to consider whether it’s better to repair or replace the garbage disposal.