A Hapeville disposal that hums, won't start or leaks usually needs a jam freed, a seal replaced or a new unit. With most of the city's homes built before 1980, the drain behind it often needs attention as well. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Hapeville.
Hapeville's older housing
Hapeville is a small historic city next to Hartsfield-Jackson, with many homes from the 1940s and 1950s. Census survey figures give a median build year of 1963, with about 63% of homes built before 1980. In those kitchens the drain inside the wall is often original, and old metal pipe narrows with buildup. The city's Water and Sewer Division, part of Public Works, maintains the city's water and sewer lines and handles sewer repairs, at (404) 669-2120 during business hours. The city also encourages sewer backflow preventers on laterals for buildings connected at or below street level. Hapeville lists a residential plumbing permit; ask your plumber whether your disposal job needs one.
Right away
- Kill the power first. Flip the switch off and pull the plug under the sink before touching anything.
- Look, don't grab. A flashlight shows what's in the chamber; tongs remove it safely.
- Free the plate from below. The wrench that came with the unit fits the center socket underneath; rock it back and forth.
- Pop the reset back in. The thermal overload trips when the motor strains; press it and try once more.
- No boiling water or caustics. Both can harm the seals and plastic drain parts.
- Find the drip. Dry the unit, run a little water and watch whether the drop forms at the top, side or bottom.
- Watch the other bowl. In Hapeville's older homes, water rising there often means a narrowed line.
- Know when to quit. Two failed resets usually mean a worn motor or a deeper jam.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Buzzing with the plate locked | A bone, pit or utensil jammed in the chamber |
| Water from the bottom | Internal seal failure; the unit usually needs replacing |
| Drip at the top | Loose mount or dried-out plumber's putty at the sink flange |
| Other fixtures gurgle too | Main drain or sewer lateral, not the disposal |
| Sink stays slow after the fix | Buildup in an older drain line behind the wall |
| No sound at all | Tripped reset, breaker, switch or failed motor |
What affects the cost
- What's wrong: a reset or freed jam takes less time than a replacement.
- The new unit: motor size, grinding stages and insulation set its price.
- Fittings: worn hoses, traps or mounting rings add parts.
- Power: hardwired units take longer than plug-in models.
- The drain: clearing a packed line is separate work.
Garbage Disposals questions in Hapeville
Will an older kitchen drain cause trouble for a new disposal?
Who do I call if the backup is in the sewer and not the disposal?
Who handles the permit if a disposal job needs one here?
Why does the sink still drain slowly after the disposal was fixed?
More plumbing services in Hapeville
Garbage Disposals nearby
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