Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Tyler, TX
Flip the switch and get a hum instead of a grind — or worse, silence and a sink full of water. Garbage disposals are simple machines, but when they jam, leak, or die, they take the whole kitchen sink down with them. We'll connect you with a Tyler specialist who can usually sort it in one visit.
Before you call, two quick checks are safe to do yourself: press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit, and make sure it has power (a tripped GFCI outlet under the sink is a common culprit). If it hums but doesn't spin, something is jammed — never put your hand inside. An Allen wrench in the bottom socket can loosen many jams, but if you're not comfortable, that's exactly what the specialist is for.
When it needs a pro
- Leaking from the body — internal seals have failed; replacement is the fix.
- Dead motor — no hum, no spin, reset and power check out fine.
- Frequent jams or slow grinding — worn impellers on an old unit.
- New install — adding a disposal where there wasn't one needs proper wiring, a dedicated switch or air switch, and correct drain plumbing.
Sizing matters more than people think. A small household that cooks occasionally is fine with a compact unit; a family that cooks daily wants more horsepower and a stainless grind chamber. Undersized disposals jam constantly and burn out early — the specialist will size it to how you actually use your kitchen.
If the sink backs up past the disposal, the clog is deeper in the line — drain cleaning territory, not a disposal problem.
Adding a disposal during a kitchen refresh? We also handle faucet and fixture installs in the same visit.
Serving Tyler and Lindale — most disposal jobs take under an hour.
Disposal trouble signs
- Humming but not grinding (jammed)
- No sound at all (dead motor or no power)
- Water leaking from the unit's body
- Frequent resets or constant jamming
- Foul odors that cleaning doesn't fix
Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation FAQs — Tyler, TX
Is it safe to fix a jammed disposal myself?
The reset button and the manual Allen-wrench turn from underneath are safe. Reaching inside the drain opening is not — ever. If the safe steps don't work, call.
How long do garbage disposals last?
Typically 8 to 12 years depending on use and what goes down it. Grease, fibrous foods, and hard objects like bones shorten that considerably.
What shouldn't go in a disposal?
Grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, fibrous vegetables (celery, artichokes), starchy foods like rice and pasta, and anything non-food. When in doubt, trash can.
Can you install a disposal where there wasn't one?
Yes — it needs an outlet (often switched), proper drain connections, and sometimes a dishwasher knockout. A specialist handles the plumbing and coordinates the electrical safely.