Plumbing
Garbage disposal repair and installation in Portsmouth
Diagnosis, repair and new installs for garbage disposals, from a family shop that has been working Hampton Roads kitchens for a long time.
Chapter 01
Signs a disposal needs attention
A garbage disposal usually tells you something is wrong before it quits outright: a grinding or humming noise instead of the normal sound, clogs that keep coming back, water leaking from underneath the sink, a smell that will not go away no matter how much you run it, slow draining, or a unit that will not turn on at all.
Any one of these on its own is worth a look. Together, they usually mean the unit is closer to the end of its life than the middle.
White Ford Transit van painted with Ellsworth Plumbing & Heating's service list, including drain cleaning, water heaters, gas leak repairs, garbage disposals, bathroom remodeling, faucets, toilets, backflow prevention, furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioning, with the alternate number (757) 397-8431.
How we work through a disposal problem
We diagnose first. A jam, a worn-out motor and a failed seal can look similar from the outside but need different fixes. Where the unit still has life in it, we repair it. Where it does not, we replace it with a new install.
A jammed disposal is often the cheapest fix of the three, so it is worth having someone check before you assume the whole unit needs replacing. If the real problem turns out to be further down the line rather than in the unit itself, that is a drain issue rather than a disposal issue, and worth mentioning when you call.
Chapter 03
After the work is done
A new disposal install comes with a 1-year warranty, and we aim for service within 1-2 business days from the call. If you are not sure whether yours is worth repairing or replacing, tell us what it is doing (the noise, the smell, whether it turns on) when you call (757) 250-2677 and we can usually tell you what to expect before anyone comes out.
A few things are worth avoiding no matter how new the disposal is: grease and fat, which harden in the line, and fibrous scraps like celery or corn husks, which wrap around the blades instead of grinding down. Running cold water while it works helps more than people expect.
New disposal installs come with a 1-year warranty, and we aim for service within 1-2 business days.
Signs it is time to call
- Unusual noises
- Frequent clogs
- Leaking water
- Foul odors
- Slow draining
- Unit won't turn on
What the job covers
- Garbage disposal replacements
- Garbage disposal repair
- Garbage disposal installation
Every new installation carries a 1-year warranty, and we aim for service within 1-2 business days. If the clog turns out to be further down the line, see our drain cleaning page, or send us a message and we can talk it through.
Related work
Water Heaters
Tank, tankless and electric water heaters installed, repaired and replaced.
Shower and Bath
Shower pans, shower and bath installs, faucets and toilets.
Drain Cleaning
Sewer cleanouts, rooter services and camera inspections.
Underground Pipe Repair
Buried pipe repaired, replaced and maintained.
Waterline Repair
Water line repair, replacement and new property installs.