Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation in Tampa, FL

The most common garbage disposal call we get in Tampa is the jam. Something hard -- a bone fragment, a piece of glass, a bottle cap that fell in unnoticed -- wedges between the flywheel and the grind ring, and the motor stalls. If the built-in overload protector trips, the unit goes dead. The fix is usually straightforward: we use the hex wrench port on the bottom of the unit to manually rotate the flywheel and free the obstruction, then reset the overload switch. Total time on most jams is 15-20 minutes.

Leaking disposals are the second most common problem. Leaks can come from three places: the sink flange connection at the top (the most common), the dishwasher inlet on the side, or the drain outlet at the bottom. Flange leaks happen when the mounting assembly loosens over time or the plumber's putty seal dries out. These are repairable. Leaks from the bottom of the unit body usually mean the internal seal has failed -- and on units over 8 years old, replacement is usually the better call than chasing a body seal.

We also see a fair number of disposals that simply stop working -- no hum, no response when you flip the switch. The first thing we check is electrical: the reset button on the bottom of the unit, the wall switch, and the outlet or hardwired connection. Tampa homes with older electrical wiring sometimes have a corroded connection at the disposal junction box that causes intermittent power loss. If the electrical is fine and the motor is truly dead, we replace the unit.

For disposal replacement, we recommend InSinkErator or Waste King units for Tampa homes. We typically carry 1/2 HP and 3/4 HP models -- the 3/4 HP handles the demands of larger households and is less likely to jam on tougher food waste. The 1/2 HP is fine for smaller households or light use. We do not recommend units under 1/3 HP for any kitchen that sees regular cooking.

Installation includes removing the old unit, cleaning the sink flange area, mounting the new disposal with a fresh seal, connecting the drain and dishwasher lines, and testing. If your sink does not currently have a disposal and you want one added, we handle the drain modification, electrical connection (we coordinate with an electrician if a new circuit is needed), and the switch installation. Tampa building code does not require a permit for disposal replacement, but adding a new circuit for a first-time installation may require one.

Tampa's warm climate means food waste breaks down faster in drain lines, and disposals that do not grind fine enough can contribute to kitchen drain clogs. We recommend always running cold water (not hot) while operating the disposal -- cold water solidifies grease so it gets chopped up rather than coating the inside of your drain pipe. Run the disposal for 15-20 seconds after the grinding sound stops to flush everything through.

Frequently asked questions