Kitchen Service
Garbage Disposal Repair in Ellicott City, MD
A sink that will not empty, a unit that only hums, or water pooling under the cabinet. We diagnose the cause and keep it from becoming a cabinet repair.
Never reach in
Powered off or not, a jammed disposal is not a hand job. Call us and keep your fingers.
Upfront pricing
You see the price before the work starts. Our plumbers are paid hourly, not on commission.
We check the drain too
A disposal that keeps backing up is sometimes the line beyond it, not the unit.
What Goes Wrong
Typical Disposal Problems
These appliances see heavy use but they are not built to process everything. Jams and clogs follow fruit pits, bones, eggshells, fibrous vegetables, and too much grease. Sometimes the motor gives out, something is lodged in the grinding chamber, or the reset switch has simply tripped.
Do not put a hand into the unit, powered off or not. A hum or the sound of metal on metal means shut it down and make a call. Forcing a jammed disposal risks a leak under the sink and damage to the motor and fittings.
Where a leak is coming from tells us a lot: the sink flange, the dishwasher hookup, the discharge pipe, or the bottom of the unit each point to a different repair. We inspect the unit and the surrounding pipework rather than addressing only what is visible.
- Jams, clogs, and lodged objects
- Units that hum but do not turn
- Motor failure and tripped reset switches
- Leaks at the flange, hookup, or discharge
- Worn seals and loose fittings
- New disposal sizing and installation
What We Do
Clear, Repair, or Replace
Clear the Jam
Most humming units have something lodged in the chamber. Clearing it properly and confirming the motor survived is a quick, inexpensive visit.
Fix the Leak
A new seal, a tightened flange, or a discharge connection remade. Catching this early is the difference between a repair and a new cabinet base.
Replace the Unit
A leaking body, a failed motor, or constant backups and racket mean replacement. We confirm the new unit suits the electrical and plumbing before fitting it.
Shut It Off and Call
Signs the Disposal Needs Service
Summer heat and humidity here bring out odors from leftover debris, and the kitchen sink takes far more demand over the holidays. Both tend to surface a problem that was already building.
01
The unit hums but the blades do not turn
02
Metal-on-metal grinding noises
03
Water pooling in the cabinet below
04
The sink will not drain when the unit runs
05
The reset switch trips repeatedly
06
Persistent odor that cleaning does not fix
What to Expect
How the Visit Works
Step 1
Safe diagnosis
We isolate power, clear whatever is lodged, and determine whether the motor and mounting survived the jam.
Step 2
Trace the leak
Flange, dishwasher hookup, discharge pipe, or the unit body. Where the water is coming from decides whether this is a seal or a replacement.
Step 3
Check the drain
If the line beyond the disposal is restricted, the unit will keep backing up no matter what we do to it. We check that before calling it done.
Why Homeowners Choose Metcalf
$0
Commissions
Our plumbers are paid hourly. They have zero incentive to upsell you.
23+
Years
Over two decades serving Baltimore-area and Howard County homeowners.
Same-Day
Response
Same-day help when the schedule allows, and a straight answer when it does not.
4.9
Stars
Hundreds of five-star reviews from neighbors across the region.
Good to Know
Garbage Disposal Questions
What should never go down a disposal?
Fruit pits, bones, eggshells, fibrous vegetables like celery and artichoke, coffee grounds in quantity, and grease. Grease is the worst of them because it moves past the unit and then congeals further down the line.
My disposal hums but will not turn. What now?
Something is jammed in the grinding chamber. Switch it off at the wall and leave it. Running it repeatedly or reaching in are both bad ideas, the first for the motor and the second for obvious reasons.
Should I repair or replace it?
A jam, a loose fitting, or a worn seal is a repair. A leaking body, a failed motor, or a unit that constantly backs up and rattles is worth replacing, particularly if it is already several years old.
Why does my kitchen sink still drain slowly after clearing the disposal?
The restriction is probably further down the line rather than in the unit. Kitchen drains collect grease and food waste over time, and that usually needs drain cleaning rather than disposal work.
More Ellicott City Plumbing
Related Ellicott City Services
Drain Cleaning
Clear stubborn kitchen, bath, and main-line buildup before it becomes a backup.
Faucet Repair
Drips, stiff handles, and cabinet leaks in kitchen, bath, and outdoor fixtures.
Bathroom Plumbing
Toilets, tubs, showers, vanities, and the drain lines behind them.
Toilet Repair
Running, leaking, rocking, or repeatedly clogged toilets sorted properly.
Browse every Ellicott City plumbing service, or see our Ellicott City service area for coverage details.
Get the Kitchen Sink Working
No commissions and no upsells. Schedule disposal service online, or call and tell us what the unit is doing.
We answer the phone
Let’s get your plumbing problem handled.
Send the essentials now. A member of our local team will follow up within one business day with the right next step.
Two required fields. The rest helps us come prepared.
No obligation. Your information is only used to help with this request.