We’re San Jose’s Trusted Garbage Disposal Repair Professionals


Your Local Reliable Garbage Disposal Team

Your home’s garbage disposal provides a quick and convenient way to eliminate food waste without filling landfills. Further, your disposal is integral to keeping your kitchen clean and running. When your disposal leaks, clogs, or stops running efficiently, you can trust Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter to help. We proudly offer garbage disposal repair services to San Jose, Mountain View, CA, and the surrounding South Bay area. Our experienced plumbers have the skills and equipment to repair or replace a garbage disposal. Reach out to schedule your appointment today!


Explore These Common Garbage Disposal Issues

While disposals are one of the most helpful kitchen appliances, they’re not indestructible. Sometimes it’s obvious when they’re an issue, and others, the root of the problem is harder to identify. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common issues our plumbers see and correct. Take a look at some of the more common garboard disposal issues:

  • Humming Noises – This is one of the most common issues. A humming or lack of noise can help identify if the blades are blocked.
  • Failing to Turn On – Sometimes, this is as common as the unit not being plugged in or could lead to a burnt-out motor. Regardless, we’re here to help.
  • Not Draining Properly – Clogs can easily cause your unit not to drain properly. These can be caused by food, grease, or even glass.
  • Your Unit is Leaking – More often than not, this is due to wear and tear. We’ll check to see where the leak comes from and correct the issue.

What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal

It’s easy to assume that anything is safe to put into your garbage disposal. While your disposal easily handles food waste, there are some items that shouldn’t be placed down your garbage disposal. Some of these can clog your disposal or damage the blades. If you’re looking to improve the life span of your disposal, avoid putting these down your disposal:

  • Eggshells
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Grease
  • Banana Peels
  • Rice
  • Meat
  • Oil
  • Shrimp Shells
  • Watermelon Rinds
  • Paper Towels, Latex Paints, and Plastic

Tips For Keeping Your Disposal Fresh and Clean

Even the most diligent cleaner cannot stop your garbage disposal from accumulating smelly food particles. Cleaning your disposal is often overlooked on most kitchen cleaning checklists. Thankfully, keeping your disposal smelling great and working without issue is simple. Here are our tips for keeping your garbage disposal fresh and clean:

  • Baking Soda – Add a half-cup of baking soda to your disposal and pour in a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then turn on the hot water and your disposal.
  • Citrus Peels – Chop up a handful of citrus peels and then feed the peels through the disposal a few peels at a time while running cold water.
  • Over-the-Counter Products – Several over-the-counter products are designed to be dropped into your disposal to ensure it remains clean and clear.

Keep Up with Routine Garbage Disposal Maintenance

As mentioned, when your garbage disposal is running smoothly, it keeps your kitchen smelling fresh and clean and makes clean-up quick and easy. While the disposal is a workhorse appliance, it can slow down or become clogged with grease or other fibrous foods without proper maintenance. There are some steps you can take at home to keep your disposal working great, but don’t hesitate to call our team of trained professionals. We’ll work hard to get your disposal running like new through our maintenance services. Take a look at our tips for maintaining your disposal:

  • Run Your Garbage Disposal Regularly
  • Avoid Putting In Products That Damage Your Disposal
  • Pay Attention to How Much You Add
  • Use Cold Water
  • Clean Your Disposal Every Two Weeks

Should You Repair or Replace?

If you are dealing with minor issues such as leaks, clogs, or damaged blades, we recommend going through with garbage disposal repair. These minor repairs can improve your disposal’s lifespan while ensuring it works precisely when needed. If you notice your garbage disposal is acting up and is starting to slow down or make a strange noise, it may be time to consider a replacement. Regardless, our team will work with you to inspect your garbage disposal while providing an expert recommendation.


How To Pick A New Garbage Disposal

Regardless of how well you maintain your garbage disposal, it will eventually need a replacement. When that time comes, we want you to rely on Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter for help picking and installing your new unit. If you decide it’s time to replace your disposal, here are a few things to keep in mind while looking for a replacement:

  • Feed Type – There are two different types, continuous and batch. Continuous is the most common type, activated by flipping a switch. The batch requires a stopper before the disposal activates.
  • Motor – Most disposals have motors that range from 1/3 to 1 horsepower. Higher horsepower units result in better performance and less noise.
  • Chamber Size – This generally goes hand in hand with the size of the motor. Larger chambers can handle more food at a time.
  • Noise – While garbage disposals don’t have an official noise rating, the larger the motor, the more noise is created.

Book Your Garbage Disposal Repair

Whenever your garbage disposal needs repairs or stops working, you’ll need the dedicated team at Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter to get your kitchen back up and running. Our plumbers strive to provide the best solutions to ensure your disposal works like new without breaking the bank. Whether it breaks down day or night, we have plumbers standing by to help. Call us today to learn more about how we can keep your garbage disposal running smoothly.