In Spencer, a garbage disposal that hums, does nothing or leaks is usually jammed, tripped, worn at a seal or past its useful life. With one of the oldest housing stocks in the area, the kitchen drain behind it is often worth checking too. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Spencer.
Spencer's older kitchens
Spencer grew up around Southern Railway's Spencer Shops in the 1890s, now the North Carolina Transportation Museum, and its houses show that history. The median home was built in 1950, about 76% went up before 1980, and around a third predate 1940, per Census survey data. A disposal in a Spencer kitchen is often far newer than the drain it empties into. Kitchen waste flows into the Salisbury-Rowan Utilities sewer, which SRU treats at its Grant Creek and Town Creek plants.
Steps to take before calling
- Kill the power. Flip the switch off and unplug the unit or turn off its breaker.
- Check for something lodged. Use a flashlight and tongs, not fingers, to remove anything visible.
- Free the plate. Turn the hex socket on the bottom of the unit with the wrench that came with it, or a standard hex key that fits.
- Reset after cooling. Give the motor a few minutes, then push the red button underneath.
- Try it once. With cold water running, switch it on briefly. If it still won't run or water appears below, stop.
- Watch the other drains. If the tub or toilet is also slow, the problem is beyond the kitchen.
What you notice and what's usually behind it
| What you notice | Usually behind it |
|---|---|
| Humming, no grinding | Something wedged in the plate |
| No sound | Overload tripped, bad switch, breaker off or a dead motor |
| Sink fills even though the unit spins | Buildup in an old trap or branch drain |
| Water on the cabinet floor | Flange, drain gasket or dishwasher hose |
| Rust-colored drips from the unit | Corroded housing or failed seal |
| Gurgling in nearby drains | A partial clog farther down the line |
Cost factors
A jam or a tripped motor is the simplest fix. A new disposal adds the unit's price, which depends on motor size and parts. Hardwiring or adding a switch takes more time than plugging into an outlet. In Spencer's older homes, the drain often adds to the job: corroded traps, old fittings or a clogged branch line may need attention while the sink is apart. Plumbing permits go through Rowan County Building Inspections after town zoning approval, and the plumber can say whether yours needs one.
Garbage Disposals questions in Spencer
Will a disposal cause trouble for the drain lines in an older home?
Should I pour a chemical drain cleaner into a sink that has a disposal?
The disposal grinds normally, but the sink still empties slowly. Why?
Why does dishwasher water back up into the kitchen sink?
More plumbing services in Spencer
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