Potomac disposal calls are usually about a jam, a leak under the sink or a unit that has reached the end of its life. On properties that are not on municipal sewer, it is also worth asking whether a disposal belongs in the kitchen at all. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Potomac.
Potomac homes
Potomac grew from a farming community into a suburb of large lots, and older farmhouses still sit among the subdivisions around Potomac Village, where Falls Road and River Road meet. The median home was built in 1977. Many kitchens have been redone since, but the original drain lines often remain.
WSSC Water serves the public sewer areas. Montgomery County assigns every property a water and sewer service category, and some properties are designated for private wells and onsite wastewater systems maintained by the owner. If your house is one of them, check your property's category or your own records before adding or upsizing a disposal.
What to do now
- Turn the disposal off and kill its power at the plug or breaker.
- For a hum with no grinding, turn the plate with a hex key from below, then press the reset button.
- For a leak, dry everything and run a little water to see where the drip starts.
- If the sink will not drain, stop using the dishwasher until the line is cleared.
- If your home is not on municipal sewer, go easy on the disposal until a plumber has looked at it.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Humming, no motion | Something wedged under the plate |
| Dead silence | Reset tripped, bad switch or no power |
| Water around the base of the unit | Failed internal seal |
| Wet dishwasher hose connection | Loose clamp or worn hose end |
| Sink slow even with the unit running fine | Buildup in the trap or the drain line |
| Gurgling from other drains | Problem farther down, possibly the main line |
Cost factors
- Jam or reset compared with installing a replacement
- The model you choose, including units built for heavier use
- Older trap parts that need replacing during the swap
- Electrical setup under the sink
- Extra drain cleaning past the kitchen trap
On a large lot, the kitchen drain may run a long way before it reaches the main line or the onsite system, and long runs with little slope collect grease. If the sink keeps slowing down after the disposal is fixed, ask about cleaning the line rather than replacing the unit again. Plumbing work in Montgomery County is permitted through WSSC Water Permit Services, and the plumber can say whether a disposal job needs one.
Garbage Disposals questions in Potomac
Is a disposal a good idea if the house is not on municipal sewer?
The disposal hums but will not grind. What is going on?
Is a bigger, more powerful disposal worth paying for?
Should I repair the disposal or replace it?
More plumbing services in Potomac
Garbage Disposals nearby
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