In Temple Hills, disposal failures often show up alongside older kitchen drains, since much of the housing dates to the 1950s through the 1970s. A plumber can fix or replace the unit and clear the line if it's the real problem. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Temple Hills.
Temple Hills kitchens
Temple Hills is mostly garden apartments, duplexes and single-family neighborhoods built from the 1950s through the 1970s, and its median home dates to 1973. Many plumbing systems here are past the 50-year mark. Disposals have been replaced several times over in most of these homes, while the drain lines behind them often have not. WSSC Water provides wastewater service, with sewer emergencies going to 301-206-4002.
What to do right now
- Switch the disposal off and cut power at the outlet or breaker.
- Look into the chamber with a flashlight; lift out any visible object with tongs.
- If the plate won't move, turn the hex socket on the bottom of the unit with a wrench until it frees up.
- Press the reset button, restore power and test with cold water running.
- For leaks, wipe everything dry and watch where the first drop forms.
- Hold off on the dishwasher until the kitchen drain clears.
- If water comes up in a lower floor drain or tub, stop using water and call.
Symptom and likely cause
| What you notice | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Buzzing, nothing turns | Object wedged against the plate |
| No sound at all | Overload tripped, breaker off or switch failure |
| Drip at the top | Loose mount or dried-out putty |
| Drip at the bottom | Worn internal seal |
| Sink holds water while unit runs | Clogged trap or old kitchen line |
| Floor drain backs up during dishes | Restricted main building drain |
What sets the cost
A jam or reset is the simplest job. A replacement depends on the unit you pick and whether the trap, flange or dishwasher connector also needs replacing. In older Temple Hills homes, clearing a grease-packed kitchen line can be part of the work. Permits rarely enter into it: Prince George's County says replacing an existing fixture generally doesn't need one, except for water heaters and testable backflow devices, and plumbing permits that are needed come from WSSC Water. Tight kitchens in garden apartments can add a little time.
If the house has a basement, tell the plumber whether a floor drain has ever backed up. In a home with a 50-year-old main line, that history helps decide whether a camera look at the drain is worth adding to the visit.
Garbage Disposals questions in Temple Hills
The disposal spins fine, so why is the sink still slow to drain?
What gets rid of a sour smell coming from the disposal?
How can I tell a disposal problem from a main drain problem?
Does swapping out a garbage disposal need a permit?
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