Smithfield disposal problems usually come from a jam, a tripped overload, a worn seal or a tired motor. With about two-thirds of Smithfield's homes built before 1980, an older drain line can be part of the problem. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Smithfield.
How old are the drains in Smithfield homes?
Older than in most of the Triangle. The median Smithfield home was built in 1973, and about 65% predate 1980, per Census survey data. Houses in and around the Downtown Smithfield Historic District, near Market Street and the Buffalo Creek Greenway, often have kitchens remodeled several times over drain lines that were never replaced. Those pipes can be rough and narrowed inside, and that's where finely ground food tends to collect. A disposal that's clearly working while the sink still drains slowly points to the line, not the unit.
Where does kitchen waste go in Smithfield?
The Town of Smithfield runs its own collection system, with Johnston County interceptors running through town. Wastewater is treated at the Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Facility south of Smithfield, permitted to discharge 9.5 million gallons a day to the Neuse River. Grease and food solids that settle in the town's pipes before reaching that plant are what cause local backups. Some outlying 27577 homes may be on county water or private wells and may not be on municipal sewer.
Should I repair or replace my disposal?
Repair makes sense for a first jam, a tripped reset or a leak at the flange, drain elbow or dishwasher hose. Replacement makes sense when the housing itself leaks, the motor won't run after a reset, or jams keep returning soon after being cleared. In an older kitchen, a plumber will often replace a brittle trap or dishwasher connection at the same time, since a fresh unit on worn fittings is a common source of new leaks.
Permit note
Smithfield contracts with Johnston County Building Inspections for building permit inspections, and the town's planning office issues a zoning permit first when one is needed. The plumber can say whether your disposal job requires a permit.
When you call, it helps to mention roughly when the house was built and whether other sinks, tubs or toilets have been slow. In a town where so many kitchens sit on older drain lines, that tells the plumber whether to come ready for drain cleaning as well as disposal work.
Garbage Disposals questions in Smithfield
Is a disposal hard on the drain pipes in an older house?
The disposal runs fine, so why does the sink still drain slowly?
Water is dripping under the sink near the disposal. Can that be fixed?
Why does the dishwasher empty into the sink instead of draining out?
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