We act as a commercial plumber for many local and residential businesses
Garbage Disposal Repair and Installation In Buckeye, Arizona
We understand the unique requirements of commercial systems. These disposals are powerful machines that require specialized knowledge to repair and install. We offer maintenance plans to keep your commercial plumbing equipment in top shape. From grease trap cleaning to commercial disposal repair, we are the partner your business needs to succeed.
Expert Garbage Disposal Services in Flagstaff
Welcome to Flagstaff Plumbing Pros. We are the premier experts for kitchen plumbing solutions in the High Country. The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the long, cold winters in Flagstaff, Arizona. It is where meals are prepared, families gather, and memories are made. Central to the functionality of your kitchen is the garbage disposal. This hardworking appliance makes cleanup quick and efficient, keeping food waste out of your trash can and reducing odors. However, when your garbage disposal fails, it can disrupt your entire culinary routine. We provide top tier garbage disposal repair and garbage disposal installation services to homeowners and businesses throughout Flagstaff and the surrounding communities. Whether you are dealing with a jammed unit, a humming motor, or a leak under the sink, our team is ready to assist you.
The Importance of a Functional Garbage Disposal in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, we spend a lot of time indoors cooking, particularly when the snow is falling. A reliable garbage disposal helps maintain a sanitary kitchen environment. It shreds food waste into small particles that can pass through the plumbing system, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.
However, the cold climate here presents specific challenges for kitchen plumbing. Grease and fats solidify much faster in the cold pipes of Flagstaff homes than they do in warmer areas. If a garbage disposal is not functioning correctly, or if it is used improperly, these fats can combine with food particles to create stubborn clogs. We understand these local dynamics. We are the local plumber you can trust to diagnose and fix disposal issues quickly, ensuring your kitchen remains fully operational.
Common Garbage Disposal Problems
We receive calls daily from residents in Flagstaff facing disposal issues. Recognizing the symptoms of a failing unit can help you decide when to call for professional help.
- The Disposal is Jammed: This is perhaps the most common issue we see. You flip the switch, and instead of the satisfying grinding sound, you hear a low hum or buzz. This usually means the flywheel is stuck. A hard object like a fruit pit, a bone, or a piece of silverware may have fallen into the grind chamber and wedged itself between the impeller and the shredder ring. If left humming, the motor will overheat and trip the internal breaker or burn out completely.
- The Unit Will Not Turn On: If you flip the switch and nothing happens—no sound, no movement—it could be an electrical issue. It might be as simple as the unit’s overload protector tripping. This is a small red button usually located on the bottom of the disposal. However, it could also indicate a bad switch, faulty wiring, or a dead motor. Our technicians can safely test the electrical supply to pinpoint the cause.
- Leaking Under the Sink: Water pooling in the cabinet under your sink is a bad sign. Leaks can occur at three main points: the mounting flange where the unit connects to the sink, the dishwasher connection, or the discharge pipe. In some cases, the shell of the disposal itself may crack due to age or corrosion. A leaking garbage disposal can cause water damage to your cabinetry and floor, so it needs to be addressed immediately.
- Slow Draining: If your kitchen sink is draining slowly while the disposal is running, you may have a clog in the drain pipe downstream from the unit. This is often caused by grinding improper items like potato peels, eggshells, or coffee grounds, which create a paste like substance that coats the pipes.
- Loud or Unusual Noises: A loud metal on metal grinding sound usually means something has fallen into the unit that shouldn’t be there. Alternatively, it could mean that components inside the disposal have come loose or worn out. If your disposal sounds like a bag of marbles, turn it off and contact us.
Garbage Disposal Repair Services
At Flagstaff Plumbing Pros, we believe in fixing things when it makes sense. If your disposal is relatively new and simply jammed, we can perform a garbage disposal repair to get it back up and running. We have specialized tools to unjam the flywheel without damaging the motor. We can also reseal loose connections to stop leaks.
However, safety is paramount. You should never put your hand down a garbage disposal to try and unjam it. Even if the power is off, the residual tension in the impellers can cause injury. Let our professionals handle the dangerous work. We know how to safely isolate the power and clear the blockage. We also inspect the blades for wear. If the impellers are dull, the unit will take longer to grind food, using more water and electricity.
Garbage Disposal Installation and Replacement
There comes a point where repair is no longer the best option. If your unit is over 10 years old, has a cracked body, or a burned out motor, garbage disposal replacement is the most cost effective solution. We offer expert garbage disposal installation services for homeowners in Flagstaff.
When you choose us for installation, we ensure the job is done correctly. A proper installation involves more than just hanging the unit. We ensure the mounting assembly is sealed tight to the sink to prevent leaks. We connect the dishwasher drain hose properly, ensuring the knockout plug is removed (a common DIY mistake). We also align the discharge pipe to the P trap to ensure smooth drainage.
Selecting the Right Horsepower
We can help you select the right unit for your needs. Disposals come in various horsepower ratings:
- 1/3 Horsepower: Good for light use in apartments or for single people who do not cook often.
- 1/2 Horsepower: The standard for most homes. Good for general food waste.
- 3/4 Horsepower: A better choice for families. These units have more torque and can handle tougher scraps.
- 1 Horsepower: The top tier. These units can grind almost anything, including chicken bones and fibrous vegetables. They are often quieter and last longer.
What Not to Put Down Your Disposal
Education is a big part of our service. To extend the life of your new garbage disposal and prevent calls for clogged kitchen sink fix needs, we advise our Flagstaff customers to avoid putting the following items down the drain:
- Grease and Oil: This is the number one enemy of drains in Flagstaff. The cold temperatures cause grease to harden almost instantly, creating massive blockages.
- Fibrous Vegetables: Celery, corn husks, and artichokes have long fibers that can tangle around the disposal blades and cause jams.
- Coffee Grounds: They do not break down. Instead, they accumulate in the trap like sediment.
- Eggshells: The membrane inside the shell can stick to the shredder ring, while the shell itself turns into a sandy grit that causes clogs.
- Pasta and Rice: These foods expand when wet. Even after being ground up, they can swell in the pipe and create a blockage.
- Bones and Pits: Unless you have a high horsepower commercial grade unit, avoid putting hard bones or fruit pits down the drain.
Best Practices for Usage
To keep your disposal smelling fresh and running smoothly, follow these tips:
- Run Cold Water: Always run a steady stream of cold water before, during, and after grinding. Cold water hardens any grease or fat, allowing it to be chopped up and flushed away. Hot water can melt grease, allowing it to coat the pipes further down the line.
- Cut Large Items: Don’t shove a whole grapefruit down the drain. Cut waste into smaller chunks to help the machine process it.
- Keep it Running: Let the disposal run for an extra 10 to 15 seconds after the grinding noise stops to ensure all waste is flushed through the trap.
- Clean with Ice: Occasionally grinding a few ice cubes can help clean the blades and scour the inside of the grind chamber. You can add a few lemon peels for a fresh scent.
Plumbing Pro Services
Complete Plumbing Care for Your Entire Home
Whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or sewer line, we have the tools and training to handle any challenge your plumbing system throws at us.
We Deliver Expert Results
Don’t gamble with your plumbing. We combine years of experience with modern technology to deliver lasting repairs and installations. Our team respects your time and your property.
- Fixture Installation
- Leak Detection
- Modern Diagnostics
- Drain Cleaning
Kitchen Safety and Gas Lines
While we are discussing kitchen appliances, it is vital to address overall kitchen safety. Many kitchens in Flagstaff utilize natural gas for stoves and ovens. These lines often run behind the same cabinetry as your plumbing.
URGENT SAFETY WARNING
If you are working in your kitchen or anywhere in your home and you smell sulfur or rotten eggs, hear a hissing sound, or suspect a gas leak, you must go outside and call 911 immediately.
This is a serious emergency that needs urgent attention from professional responders. Do not turn on or off any light switches, use a flashlight, or use a phone inside the house, as a spark could ignite the gas. Once the area is declared safe by the authorities, you can contact us for gas line repair, but your safety is the absolute priority.
The Flagstaff Difference
Why choose Flagstaff Plumbing Pros? We are a locally focused business. We understand the specific plumbing codes and water conditions in Flagstaff. Our technicians are courteous, uniformed, and drug tested. We respect your home and clean up after ourselves. When we install a new garbage disposal, we take the old one with us, so you aren’t left with a mess.
We do not believe in high pressure sales. We provide honest assessments. If your disposal can be fixed with a simple reset or unjamming, we will tell you. If it needs to be replaced, we will explain why and offer you options that fit your household needs. We are the best plumbing company for homeowners who value integrity and quality.
Handling Clogged Kitchen Drains
Sometimes the issue isn’t the disposal itself, but the pipe connected to it. A clogged kitchen sink is a major inconvenience. If the disposal motor is spinning but water isn’t draining, the blockage is likely in the P trap or the wall pipe. We offer expert drain cleaning services. We use professional snakes and hydro jetting equipment to clear grease and sludge from your kitchen lines.
Contact Us Today
If your garbage disposal is grinding, leaking, or refusing to turn on, do not let food waste pile up. Contact Flagstaff Plumbing Pros today. We are ready to handle your garbage disposal repair or installation with efficiency and skill. We serve the entire Flagstaff area and beyond.
Service Areas and Zip Codes
We are proud to serve the following communities and zip codes in the High Country. Our technicians are frequently in these areas ensuring fast response times.
- Flagstaff, AZ: 86001, 86004, 86005, 86011
- Bellemont, AZ: 86015
- Kachina Village / Mountainaire, AZ: 86005
- Parks, AZ: 86018
- Munds Park, AZ: 86017
- Williams, AZ: 86046
We serve the greater Flagstaff metropolitan area. If you do not see your zip code listed but are nearby, contact us to see if we can assist you.