Garbage disposal repair: what you fix, what you replace

Most “repair” is a jam, a reset, or power. The rest is a new unit. Do not rebuild a cracked drum.

DIY — jam, reset, power

Clear a jam from below with a 1/4″ hex key. Press the red reset. Confirm the wall switch and the breaker. Those three cover the jobs that are actually repairable at the sink.

Replace — do not keep repairing

Buy a new disposal if any of these are true:

• Cracked housing or a leak from the body, not a joint
• Worn lugs — food spins, nothing grinds, jams keep coming back
• The unit is older than 8–12 years
• A body leak you already dried and watched return

Three replacement lanes, no reviews. Then DIY vs hire for install.

Call a plumber if…