Jammed Impellers
Jammed Impellers | Garbage Disposal Repair | Plumbing | Collegedale
Feeling stuck with a humming motor and a sink that won’t drain? HEP’s licensed plumbers in Collegedale know that a jammed impeller can turn meal cleanup into a messy ordeal. We arrive fast, armed with specialized tools to free seized blades, replace worn seals, and restore full grinding power without damaging your pipes. From mysterious rattles to total shutdowns, our technicians diagnose the issue on-site and quote transparent, up-front pricing—so you’ll never be surprised when the bill arrives.
Choose HEP for reliable garbage disposal repair that keeps your kitchen running smoothly. We back every fix with a workmanship guarantee, dispose of old parts responsibly, and leave your workspace spotless. Call today, and get your disposal spinning like new before your next dinner party.
FAQs
What causes impellers in a garbage disposal to jam?
The most common culprits are fibrous food scraps (celery, corn husks), hard objects (bones, fruit pits), and grease buildup that restricts impeller movement. Occasionally, foreign items like silverware or bottle caps fall in and wedge the impellers. Over-tightening the mounting ring during installation can also misalign parts, leading to jams over time.
Can I unjam my disposal myself, or should I call a Collegedale plumber?
You can try a few safe DIY steps first: turn off power, insert the disposal’s hex wrench into the bottom flywheel hole, and rotate it back and forth to free the impellers. Next, use tongs (never fingers) to remove visible obstructions. If the unit hums but won’t spin, trips the reset button repeatedly, leaks, or you can’t turn the flywheel, call a Collegedale plumbing professional. Persistent jams can overheat the motor and damage seals, making expert repair the cheaper option long-term.
How fast can you respond to a jammed garbage disposal in Collegedale?
For Collegedale homeowners, we provide same-day service Monday through Saturday and 24/7 emergency dispatch. Typical arrival time is within 2–4 hours of your call. Because jammed impellers can burn out the motor quickly, we keep critical replacement parts on our trucks to complete most repairs in one visit.
Will repairing a jammed disposal cost more than replacing it?
Not usually. Most jammed-impeller repairs in Collegedale run $95–$180, including labor, minor parts, and a performance tune-up. A full replacement averages $325–$550 installed, depending on horsepower and noise-reduction features. We inspect and quote first; if the motor is scorched or the grinding chamber cracked, we’ll recommend replacement and credit your diagnostic fee toward the new unit.
How can I prevent future jams after you fix my disposal?
Run cold water before, during, and 15 seconds after grinding. Feed scraps slowly; avoid dumping large batches at once. Never grind fibrous foods, coffee grounds, eggshells, or grease. Each month, grind a tray of ice cubes with a splash of vinegar; the ice scours the impellers and the vinegar deodorizes. Finally, schedule an annual disposal check-up with our Collegedale technicians to tighten mounting hardware and test overload protection.
Is your repair service covered by any warranty?
Yes. All jammed-impeller repairs come with a 1-year labor warranty and a 90-day parts warranty on supplied components. If the same disposal jams again under normal use within a year, we’ll return to Collegedale homes and fix it at no charge. We also register any new disposals we install so you receive the manufacturer’s full warranty (usually 5–10 years on the grind chamber and motor).