Jammed Flywheels
Jammed Flywheels | Garbage Disposal Repair | Plumbing | Jefferson City
When the flywheels under your sink seize up and your kitchen falls silent, HEP’s seasoned plumbing team is ready to bring the roar back to your Jefferson City home. We specialize in fast, no-mess garbage disposal repair, tackling everything from stubborn jams and foul odors to electrical hiccups and worn-out impellers. Our technicians arrive with fully stocked trucks, transparent pricing, and the kind of friendly, hometown service you can only get from a crew that’s been serving Mid-Missouri families for decades.
Skip the frustration of DIY fixes and ringing noises that just won’t quit. With HEP, you get same-day solutions, warranty-backed parts, and cleanup that leaves your kitchen spotless. Give us a call, and by dinnertime your sink will be humming smoothly again—so you can focus on the meal, not the mess.
FAQs
What usually causes a garbage disposal flywheel to jam?
The flywheel inside your disposal can jam when hard or fibrous materials—such as fruit pits, bones, corn husks, or excessive grease—get wedged between the grinding plate and the shredder ring. Foreign objects like silverware, bottle caps, or broken glass can also fall in unnoticed and lock the wheel. Over-time mineral buildup from Jefferson City’s moderately hard water supply may corrode moving parts and make jamming more likely.
How can I tell if my disposal has a jammed flywheel or a burned-out motor?
A jammed flywheel usually triggers a loud hum when you flip the wall switch because the motor is trying to spin but can’t. The unit may also trip the built-in reset button or your circuit breaker. A failed motor, by contrast, is silent—no hum, no vibration, and the reset button typically doesn’t help. If you hear humming or the reset keeps popping, chances are the flywheel is jammed rather than the motor being dead.
Is it safe to try and unjam the disposal myself?
You can attempt a basic reset safely: turn the power switch OFF, unplug the unit or shut off the breaker, then press the red reset button on the bottom. If it still hums, you may insert a ¼-inch Allen wrench into the hex socket underneath and manually turn the flywheel back and forth to clear the blockage. Never put your hand into the chamber, and never force the flywheel if it doesn’t budge—doing so can strip gears, shear the impeller, or injure you. If the wrench method fails or the reset won’t stay in, call our Jefferson City repair team for professional service.
How quickly can your plumbers reach my home or business in Jefferson City?
Because we are locally based on the west side of Jefferson City, most addresses inside the city limits and connected suburbs are within a 15- to 20-minute drive. Same-day appointments are available Monday through Saturday if you call before noon, and 24/7 emergency dispatch is on standby for severe backups or flooding. When you schedule, we’ll give you a two-hour arrival window and text you when the technician is en route.
Will I need to replace the entire disposal or can it usually be repaired?
Roughly 80 % of the jammed units we inspect can be repaired on the spot for a fraction of replacement cost. Common fixes include removing lodged objects, freeing the flywheel, replacing a worn splash guard, or installing a new reset switch. We recommend replacement when the motor windings are burned out, the grinding ring is cracked, or the unit is over 10 years old and leaking. Your technician will give you upfront options and pricing so you can decide whether a repair or a new disposal makes more economic sense.
What maintenance tips can help me avoid future flywheel jams?
• Feed waste gradually—don’t dump an entire plate of scraps at once. • Keep fibrous foods (celery strings, onion skins, corn husks) and hard debris (bones, fruit pits, seafood shells) out of the disposal. • Run cold water before, during, and 15 seconds after grinding to flush debris. • Once a month, grind a tray of ice cubes with a cup of rock salt or vinegar to scour the blades. • Freshen and degrease with a small amount of citrus peels or a tablespoon of dish soap. Following these practices, along with an annual inspection by our Jefferson City plumbers, greatly reduces the chance of jamming and extends your disposal’s lifespan.