A Selma disposal that hums, won't start or drips usually has a jam, a tripped reset, a failed seal or a worn motor. Since more than half of Selma's homes predate 1980, a plumber may check the kitchen drain too. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Selma.
Selma at a glance
Selma is an I-95 railroad town next to Smithfield, and its housing is older: about 55% of homes were built before 1980, with a median build year of 1974, per Census survey data. Homes in the Downtown Selma and West Selma historic districts often have older kitchen drains. The town collects its own sewer through 19 lift stations, and the wastewater is carried by a Johnston County interceptor to the Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Facility. Lift stations are easily clogged by grease and stringy food waste, so keep both out of the disposal.
Older Selma kitchens also tend to have a mix of parts under the sink: a newer disposal tied into an older trap, a dishwasher hose added years later, and a drain stub that may have been reworked more than once. Each joint is a place for a slow leak to start, and a plumber will usually check all of them on a disposal call. If the house is on one of the older streets near downtown, mention that when you call so the plumber is ready to clear the drain line as well.
Immediate steps
- Turn the disposal off and unplug it or shut off its breaker.
- Use tongs to take out anything you can see in the chamber.
- Press the reset on the bottom if the unit is silent.
- If it hums, rock the plate free with the hex wrench from below.
- If the sink is full, don't keep running the disposal; it won't push the clog through an older drain.
- Avoid chemical drain openers.
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Humming only | Jammed grinding plate |
| No response | Tripped overload or failed switch |
| Slow sink, disposal runs fine | Clog in the trap or older drain line |
| Gurgling | Partial blockage farther down |
| Drip under the unit | Worn internal seal |
What drives the cost
- A repair versus a new unit
- The model and motor size
- Clearing a narrowed kitchen drain in an older house
- Replacing a corroded trap or fittings
- Electrical work for a hardwired unit or new switch
Permits in Selma start with zoning approval from the town, followed by Johnston County Building Inspections. The plumber can tell you whether your disposal job needs one. Some outlying 27576 homes may not be on municipal sewer.
Garbage Disposals questions in Selma
Is it OK to pour cooking grease down the disposal if hot water is running?
The disposal runs fine, so why does the sink still drain slowly?
The disposal makes no sound at all when I flip the switch. What can I check?
Is a disposal hard on the drain pipes in an older house?
More plumbing services in Selma
Garbage Disposals nearby
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