When a Wilson disposal hums, goes silent or leaks, the cause is usually a jam, a tripped reset, a bad seal or a worn motor. In the city's older neighborhoods, the drain line behind the sink can play a part too. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Wilson.
Wilson kitchens in brief
Inside the city, kitchen drains feed the City of Wilson Water Resources sewer system and its Hominy Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Wilson's housing runs from early-1900s homes in the Old Wilson, West Nash Street and East Wilson historic districts to newer subdivisions in the northwest. About 46% of homes were built before 1980, with a median build year of 1983, per Census survey data. In the older districts, a disposal often hangs from a drain that has been there for generations.
What to do right now
- Cut the power. Turn off the wall switch, then unplug the unit or switch off its breaker.
- Don't reach in. Use tongs to pull out anything visible in the chamber.
- Try the reset. If it's silent, press the red button on the bottom of the unit.
- Free a jam from below. If it hums, turn the hex socket underneath with the wrench that came with it.
- Find the leak. Dry the cabinet, run water with the disposal off, and watch where drips start.
- Skip the chemicals. They can damage the unit and make the repair less safe.
Symptoms and their usual causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hums, doesn't spin | Object stuck in the grinding plate |
| Completely silent | Tripped overload, switch, outlet or breaker |
| Drip from the top | Loose sink flange or worn putty |
| Drip from the side | Drain elbow or dishwasher hose connection |
| Drip from the bottom | Internal seal failure; unit needs replacing |
| Sink slow even when unit runs | Clog in the trap or an older kitchen drain |
What affects cost
A jam or reset is the simplest job. Replacement adds the cost of the new unit, which varies with motor size and build quality. Hardwiring or adding a switch adds labor. In Wilson's older homes, clearing a narrowed kitchen drain or replacing a corroded trap can be part of the job, and a cracked dishwasher hose is often swapped at the same time.
Inside the city, permits are handled by the Development Services Inspections Department at the City Hall Permit Desk; outside city jurisdiction, Wilson County Inspections issues them. The plumber can tell you whether your job needs one.
Garbage Disposals questions in Wilson
Is a disposal hard on the drain pipes in an older house?
How can I tell whether a kitchen backup is the disposal or the main sewer line?
How do I get rid of a sour smell coming from the disposal?
When does it make more sense to replace a disposal than repair it?
More plumbing services in Wilson
Garbage Disposals nearby
Sources
Last updated: