Garbage Disposal Repair Toronto 2025: Jams, Leaks & Replacement

Common Garbage Disposal Problems

Garbage disposals are simple but powerful appliances—essentially a spinning flywheel with impellers that fling food waste against a grind ring. Most problems stem from jams, electrical issues, or wear over time.

1. Disposal Won't Turn On (No Sound)

When you flip the switch and hear absolutely nothing—no hum, no click—the issue is electrical or the motor has failed.

Step-by-Step Fix:

1. Check the reset button: Look at the bottom of the disposal under the sink. Press the small red (or black) button firmly. If it was tripped, it will click. Try the disposal again.
2. Check the outlet: If your disposal plugs into an outlet under the sink, make sure it's connected. Test the outlet with another appliance.
3. Check the circuit breaker: Disposals often share a circuit with the dishwasher. Look for a tripped breaker in your panel.
4. Check the wall switch: Switches can fail. With power off, you can test with a multimeter or have an electrician check.
5. Motor failure: If all electrical checks pass and the reset won't stay engaged, the motor has likely burned out. Replacement is needed.

2. Disposal Hums But Doesn't Spin (Jammed)

Humming means the motor is receiving power but the flywheel is stuck. This is the most common disposal problem—and easiest to fix yourself.

How to Clear a Jam:

Method 1: Hex Wrench (Best)

1. Locate the hex socket on the bottom center of the disposal
2. Insert the disposal wrench (came with unit) or a 1/4" Allen wrench
3. Work the wrench back and forth—you'll feel resistance from the jam
4. Continue until the flywheel rotates freely (360°)
5. Press reset button, run water, turn on disposal

Method 2: Broom Handle (From Above)

If you don't have wrench access, insert a wooden broom handle or thick dowel into the disposal from above. Push against the impellers and work them back and forth until free. Never use your hands.

Common Jam Causes:

• Bones (small chicken/pork bones often slip through)
• Fruit pits (peach, avocado, cherry)
• Silverware or small objects falling in
• Fibrous vegetables wrapping around impellers
• Glass, plastic, or metal accidentally dropped

3. Disposal Leaking

Water leaking from your disposal can come from multiple locations—the source determines whether repair or replacement is needed.

How to find the leak: Dry everything thoroughly, plug the sink, fill with water mixed with food coloring, then remove plug. Watch where colored water appears under the disposal.

Bottom leak = replacement: When water leaks from the very bottom of the disposal housing (not the discharge pipe), the internal seals have failed. These cannot be repaired—the unit must be replaced.

4. Slow Draining / Standing Water

If your disposal runs but water drains slowly or not at all, the problem is usually in the drain line rather than the disposal itself.

Causes & Solutions:

Clogged discharge pipe: The horizontal pipe from disposal to drain can clog with grease and debris. Disconnect the pipe (with bucket ready) and clear with a drain snake or rinse with hot water.

P-trap blockage: Remove and clean the P-trap under the sink. Accumulated grease and food particles often collect here.

Worn impellers: If the disposal runs but doesn't grind effectively, the impellers may be worn. Hold a flashlight—if impellers look rounded/smooth rather than showing crisp edges, the disposal is due for replacement.

Main drain blockage: If other drains are also slow, the problem is downstream in the main drain line. This requires professional drain cleaning.

5. Bad Odors

Garbage disposals can develop unpleasant smells from trapped food residue—a common complaint in Toronto homes, especially during summer.

Deep Cleaning Methods:

Ice and salt: Pour 2 cups of ice and 1 cup of coarse salt into the disposal. Run with cold water for 30 seconds. The abrasive action scours the grinding chamber and impellers.

Baking soda and vinegar: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, let sit 30 minutes, then add 1 cup white vinegar. Let foam for 10 minutes, then rinse with hot water while running disposal.

Citrus peels: Grind lemon, lime, or orange peels regularly to add fresh scent and clean with citric acid.

Clean the splash guard: The black rubber flaps at the sink opening trap food on their underside. Scrub with a brush and dish soap—this is often the main odor source.

What NOT to Put in Your Disposal

Avoid these items to prevent jams, clogs, and premature wear:

• Grease, fats, oils: Coat components and solidify in drain lines
• Fibrous vegetables: Celery, artichokes, asparagus, corn husks wrap around impellers
• Bones (large): Beef and large pork bones can jam or damage impellers
• Fruit pits: Peach, avocado, cherry pits are too hard
• Pasta and rice: Expand with water, create paste-like clogs
• Potato peels: Create starchy paste that clogs drains
• Coffee grounds: Accumulate in pipes over time (not harmful to disposal but clog drains)
• Egg shells: Membrane wraps around impellers (despite the myth they "sharpen" blades)
• Non-food items: Metal, glass, plastic, rubber bands, twist ties

Safe items: Most soft foods, small chicken bones, fruit scraps (without pits), vegetable scraps (non-fibrous), ice cubes, citrus peels.

When to Replace Your Garbage Disposal

Replace rather than repair if you notice:

• Leaking from bottom: Internal seal failure cannot be repaired
• Age 10+ years: Components wear and motors weaken
• Grinding/screeching noises: Indicates worn bearings or damaged motor
• Frequent jams: Worn impellers can't handle normal loads
• Repeated reset trips: Motor is overheating from internal failure
• Burning smell: Electrical or motor failure imminent
• Poor grinding: Food comes out in large chunks rather than liquefied

New Disposal Costs in Toronto:

We recommend 3/4 HP or higher for most Toronto homes—the extra power handles tougher scraps and is less prone to jamming. InSinkErator, Waste King, and Moen are reliable brands available locally at Home Depot, Lowe's, and plumbing supply houses.