Faucet and garbage disposal repair: the short answer
A dripping faucet, weak flow, a leak under the sink or a garbage disposal that hums, jams or leaks can usually be fixed in one visit. For a leak, close the shutoff valves under the sink. For a jammed disposal, turn off its power before doing anything, and never put your hand inside. Call (207) 555-0163 to speak with a local plumber in the Portland area.
Faucet problems
| What you notice | Common causes |
|---|---|
| Drips from the spout | A worn cartridge, washer or seat |
| Leaks around the handle or base | Worn O-rings or seals |
| Weak flow | A clogged aerator or cartridge, or a partly closed shutoff valve |
| Water under the sink | A loose supply line, a leaking drain trap or a failed faucet connection |
| Stiff or loose handle | A worn cartridge or loose mounting hardware |
For other problems, see our main page on plumbers in Portland, ME.
Garbage disposal problems
- Hums but won't spin: jammed by something hard. With the power off, many units can be freed with a hex key in the socket on the bottom.
- Won't turn on at all: press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit and check the breaker or switch.
- Leaks: from the sink flange, the drain or dishwasher connection, or a cracked housing, which means replacement.
- Drains slowly or smells: buildup in the unit or the drain line below it.
How urgent is it?
Close the valves under the sink if water is leaking.
A drip in the spout can wait for a scheduled visit. Water collecting in the cabinet can rot the cabinet floor and leak into the ceiling below, so call sooner. In older homes, the shutoff valves under sinks may be stiff or seized after years of not being used. Don't force them. Close the main valve instead and have the plumber replace them.
What not to put in a garbage disposal
- grease, fat and oil
- stringy or fibrous scraps such as celery, corn husks and onion skins
- large amounts of potato peels, rice or pasta, which turn to paste
- coffee grounds, bones and fruit pits
- anything that isn't food
Run cold water while it's on and for a few seconds after. Repeated sink clogs belong under drain cleaning.
Repair or replace?
Faucets are usually worth repairing when parts are available, since a cartridge or seal costs far less than a new fixture. Replacement makes sense for an old faucet with corroded parts, a style that's no longer supported or a kitchen update. A disposal with a cracked housing or a burned-out motor is normally replaced, while jams and reset trips are simple fixes.
What happens during the visit
Shut off and diagnose
Close the valves, find the worn part or leaking connection.
Repair or install
Replace the cartridge, seals or supply lines, clear a disposal jam, or install a new faucet or disposal.
Replace tired valves
If the shutoffs under the sink are seized or leaking, now is the time to swap them.
Test
Run hot and cold, run the disposal and dishwasher drain, and check underneath for drips.
What affects the cost
- Repair or replacement, and whether you supply the new fixture.
- Parts availability for older or less common faucet brands.
- Extra work: new shutoff valves, supply lines or drain parts.
- Electrical: a disposal that needs a new outlet or switch.
See the plumbing cost guide.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can this faucet be repaired, or are parts hard to find?
- Should the shutoff valves and supply lines be replaced while you're here?
- Do you install fixtures I buy myself, and is the warranty different?
What to have ready when you call
- which faucet or disposal, and what it's doing
- the brand, or a photo of it and of the area under the sink
- whether water is leaking into the cabinet now
- whether you'd rather repair it or replace it