In Fort Washington, most disposal calls involve a jam, a seal leak, a motor at the end of its life or a kitchen drain that has slowed down. A plumber can usually tell within minutes which one it is. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fort Washington.
Fort Washington homes and their disposals
Fort Washington stayed rural until about 1960 and then filled in with suburban neighborhoods along the Potomac and Route 210. The median home here was built in 1980, so many kitchens have been updated once or twice, and disposals from those updates are now wearing out. WSSC Water provides sewer service, and its line for water and sewer emergencies is 301-206-4002. Whether you live near Livingston Road or Old Fort Road, the same few habits cause most jams here: grease poured into the sink, fibrous peels, and too little cold water running while the unit grinds.
What to do now
- Turn the disposal off and switch off its breaker or unplug it under the sink.
- Shine a light into the chamber and remove anything you can see with tongs or pliers.
- Free a stuck plate with a hex wrench in the socket on the bottom of the unit.
- Push the reset button and test with cold water running.
- If water drips, find where it starts and catch it with a pan.
- Stop using the dishwasher until the kitchen drain flows again.
Signs and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Motor hums, plate stuck | Something wedged against the grinding ring |
| Trips after a few seconds | Motor overheating from a partial jam or worn bearings |
| Water under the sink after dishes | Loose dishwasher hose clamp or outlet gasket |
| Leak from the bottom of the unit | Internal seal failure |
| Slow sink, unit runs fine | Grease and food packed in the trap or branch line |
| Lower drains gurgle when the sink empties | Restriction in the main building drain |
Cost factors
Price depends mostly on whether the plumber can free and reset the unit or has to replace it. A new disposal's cost varies with motor size and build, and replacement parts such as a trap, flange or dishwasher connector add to it. A clog further along the line adds time. In Prince George's County, all plumbing permits come from WSSC Water, and the county says a like-for-like fixture replacement generally doesn't need one, so most swaps involve no permit at all. Work that adds new drain piping is different.
Garbage Disposals questions in Fort Washington
There is water in the cabinet under the sink. How do I find the leak?
How can I tell a disposal problem from a main drain problem?
Is a stronger motor worth paying extra for?
Who handles a sewage backup that starts in the public main?
More plumbing services in Fort Washington
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