Garbage Disposal Repair

Repair or Replace: How to Tell the Difference

Most jams, leaks at the flange, and tripped overloads are worth repairing. A disposal with a cracked housing or a burned-out motor on an older unit is a closer call. The age of the unit matters: a motor replacement on a ten-year-old disposal may cost nearly as much as a new one. We give you the honest numbers so you can decide.

How Florida Humidity Affects Your Disposal

In Sarasota's climate, disposals in seasonal homes sit idle for months at a time. Rubber splash guards and internal seals dry out and crack. Standing water in the chamber grows mold. When snowbirds return in November and run the unit again, that's often when the leak or seized plate shows up. Coastal homes near Siesta Key or Casey Key also see faster corrosion on metal housing components from salt air.

• Splash guard cracking or peeling after long idle periods
• Mold or foul odor when unit is restarted after months off
• Corroded mounting hardware or drain collar on barrier island homes

What to Check Before You Call

Two things are worth trying first. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit and try the switch again. If the plate is jammed, use the hex wrench port at the bottom center with a quarter-inch Allen key to manually work the plate free. If neither step gets it running, there is a mechanical or electrical problem that needs a technician.