Know The Warning Signs
A disposal rarely fails without warning first. If you're noticing any of these, get it looked at before it stops working during a dinner rush.
When you call about a disposal issue, we'll ask what it's doing: humming, leaking, or just dead. That helps us bring the right parts on the first visit instead of a second trip. We'll give you a clear arrival window.
We check the jam, the seal, and the electrical connection before deciding on repair versus replacement. If a new unit makes more sense, we'll explain the sizing and price options clearly before doing any work.
We run the disposal with water to confirm it's draining and grinding properly, check under the sink for any residual leak, and clean up the area. You'll know exactly what was replaced and why.
Disposal Repair & Replacement
Whether it's a stubborn jam, a worn-out seal, or a motor that's finally quit, PlumbSmart handles disposal service without the runaround. We tell you honestly when a repair makes sense and when a new unit is the smarter move.
We check the jam, the seal, and the wiring before recommending anything, so the fix matches what's actually wrong. If it's not working right after we leave, call us and we'll come back.
You'll get itemized pricing before we touch anything, whether it's a repair or a new unit. What you approve is what lands on the invoice.
Most disposal calls we get start with "it just hums" or "it stopped working out of nowhere." In a lot of cases, the motor is fine and something mechanical is stuck, a bone fragment wedged against the impeller, or the internal reset has tripped from overheating. Before you assume the unit is done, it's worth having someone check the simple stuff.
That said, some disposals really are at the end of the line. A unit leaking from the bottom seal has a worn-out gasket that isn't worth chasing with repairs, and a motor that burns out repeatedly is telling you it's tired. We'll be straight with you about which situation you're in.
Disposals fail faster when they're asked to grind things they weren't built for. Grease coats the blades and housing over time, fibrous scraps wrap around the impeller, and starchy foods expand and clog the drain line right behind the unit.
A few habits go a long way toward avoiding an early replacement:
Did you know that approximately 9-13% of our service calls are to come out to fix other companies' mistakes?
From Downtown to the Suburbs
Kitchens across San Antonio see different disposal brands and ages depending on when the home was built or last remodeled. PlumbSmart works on all the common brands and carries replacement units for same-day swaps in most cases.
Diane Mcelroy
Recent Google review
I am having a weird issue with intermittent dampness in my garage. Roger spent about 1.5 hours trying to locate the problem. He assured me it was not a plumbing problem and told me not to worry about the service call.
Andrew Schaffrinna
Recent Google review
Joey was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent service, excellent advice, went above and beyond by providing me with recommendations on how to prevent future issues. Highly recommend.
Kristi Lopez
Recent Google review
So happy with our new system! The team was absolutely fantastic! Thank you!
Svetla McPhie
Recent Google review
PlumbSmart was the only plumbing company that responded the same day to fix a leak. Excellent work and coordination. All over great team.
Plumbing disasters don't wait for business hours. Our expert team is ready to roll at any moment's notice, day or night, to handle your emergencies.
That usually means the motor has power but the flywheel is jammed, often by a utensil, bone fragment, or fibrous food like celery. Turn off power at the wall switch or breaker before reaching into the unit. Many jams clear with the hex key reset on the bottom, but if it keeps happening, the motor may be wearing out.
If it's leaking from the seal at the bottom, that's usually a sign the unit itself has failed internally and repair isn't practical. Persistent jamming, burning smells, or a motor that trips the breaker regularly are also signs it's closer to the end of its life. Most units last eight to twelve years with normal use.
Grease, fibrous vegetables like celery and corn husks, coffee grounds in large amounts, bones, and starchy foods like pasta or rice that expand with water all cause problems. Running cold water while the disposal works helps, but these items are better off in the trash or compost.
Yes. Disposals vary in horsepower, noise level, and mounting style, and we size the replacement to how your kitchen actually gets used rather than just swapping in whatever is on the truck. If your current unit is undersized for a busy kitchen, we'll tell you.
It's not usually a burst-pipe level emergency, but a leak under the sink can damage the cabinet floor if it sits unaddressed. Place a bucket under the leak, avoid running the disposal, and get it looked at within a day or two before the moisture causes further damage.
Did you know that approximately 9-13% of our service calls are to come out to fix other companies' mistakes?
From the Blog
Practical tips and local insights from the PlumbSmart team.
1233 Safari St, San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 810-0810You can call us for assistance 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A garbage disposal is one of those appliances nobody thinks about until it stops working mid-meal. Most of the calls we get break down into three buckets: a mechanical jam that just needs clearing, a seal that's worn out and started leaking, or a motor that's simply reached the end of its service life after years of daily use.
We check all three before recommending anything. If the fix is a five-minute reset, we tell you that instead of selling you a new unit. If the unit really is done, we'll walk you through options at different price points and horsepower ratings, sized to how much your kitchen actually uses the disposal.
PlumbSmart keeps common disposal models on hand, which means most replacements happen in the same visit as the diagnosis. No waiting a week with a bucket under your sink.