Get a Garbage Disposal Repair Quote Now!
Rather talk with someone? Call Us Directly

Most garbage disposal problems announce themselves in one of four ways: a hum with no grinding, complete silence when you flip the switch, water dripping into the cabinet below, or a unit that grinds but drains slowly. Each points somewhere different, and two of the four are free to fix yourself. Homeowners in Columbus often call a plumber before pressing the reset button worth trying first.

A hum means the motor runs, but the flywheel is stuck. Shut the power off immediately; a stalled motor heats its windings toward burnout in seconds. Cut power at the switch and the breaker, insert a 1/4-inch hex wrench into the socket on the bottom center, and rock it until the plate turns freely. Pull the debris out with tongs, never your hand. Then press the red reset button on the underside. Total silence usually means that same reset button, a tripped breaker, or a GFCI outlet.

Leaks and repeat failures are where a pro earns the fee. Water from the top flange or a drain connection is a seal or gasket, $80 to $180. Water from the bottom housing means the motor seal failed, and that unit is done. Repairs run $100 to $450, averaging around $230, with plumbers billing $50 to $125 an hour plus a $70 to $130 diagnostic fee. Prices in Columbus sit inside those ranges.

Because a disposal sits on both plumbing and electrical, a licensed plumber can rule out wiring, seals, and drain issues in one visit rather than three. Below you’ll find licensed plumbers handling garbage disposal repair in Columbus, jam clearing, leak and seal work, motor diagnosis, and replacement when repair stops making sense. Compare licensing, reviews, and rates, and ask whether the diagnostic fee applies toward the repair.

List of Garbage Disposal Repair Services In Columbus

Based on our criteria
Workman Score
68.3 /100
Based on
5 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 60%
  • Professionalism 52%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 88%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Harold's Rooter Service shows strong pricing and technical competence, with multiple reviews praising reasonable rates and effective problem-solving. However, professionalism is significantly undermined by a critical 2022 review documenting missed appointments and complete lack of callback responsiveness—a severe failure in communication and reliability. Project completion is mixed: positive revie... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
68.2 /100
Based on
33 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 66%
  • Professionalism 73%
  • Experience 78%
  • Price-friendly 65%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Jack L Woods Plumbing shows significant inconsistency across reviews spanning 2013–2024. While technical expertise and initial responsiveness are frequently praised (78/100 experience score), the company struggles with professionalism (72.5/100) due to recurring complaints about rudeness, poor communication, and unresponsiveness. Pricing concerns (65/100) center on unexpected charges, lack of tran... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
68.2 /100
Based on
19 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 62%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 71%
  • Price-friendly 78%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Discount Drains shows significant inconsistency in service quality. While many reviews praise professionalism, responsiveness, and fair pricing (particularly from 2020-2021), a cluster of severe failures in project completion and workmanship undermines overall trustworthiness. Critical issues include incorrect material substitutions (PVC instead of copper), incomplete work requiring callbacks, dam... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
68.2 /100
Based on
12 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 58%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 83%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

CLB Plumbing demonstrates strong technical expertise and reasonable pricing, with multiple reviews praising diagnostic skills, honest recommendations, and fair quotes. However, the WW Score is significantly dragged down by severe project completion failures: three reviews explicitly document no-shows, abandoned jobs, and complete lack of follow-up communication after service. While early reviews (... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
68.2 /100
Based on
7 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 80%
  • Professionalism 62%
  • Experience 83%
  • Price-friendly 75%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Fritz Baumann shows mixed performance across dimensions. Professionalism is the primary concern, with strong positive mentions (responsiveness, politeness, knowledgeable staff) significantly offset by serious negative incidents including rudeness, condescension, and alleged discriminatory behavior. Project completion is solid with jobs finished on time and to customer satisfaction. Pricing appears... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
62.8 /100
Based on
11 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 65%
  • Professionalism 58%
  • Experience 78%
  • Price-friendly 53%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Matlock Plumbing shows significant inconsistency across reviews spanning nearly a decade. Recent reviews (2022) reveal severe professionalism and project completion failures, including refusal to correct mistakes and poor workmanship on pressure regulator installation. However, older reviews (2013-2020) consistently praise professionalism, expertise, and fair pricing. Pricing concerns appear in mu... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?

The motor is running, but the flywheel is jammed. Turn it off right away; running a stalled disposal burns out the windings fast. Cut power at the wall switch and breaker, insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the hex socket on the bottom center, and rock it back and forth until the plate spins freely. Remove the debris with tongs, never your hand, then press the reset button. If it still hums, call a plumber rather than retrying.

Why won't my garbage disposal turn on at all?

Silence usually means power, not mechanical failure. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit firmly until it clicks. If nothing changes, check the wall switch, the breaker panel, and any GFCI outlet nearby; disposals often share a circuit with one, and a trip elsewhere can kill power here. If all three check out and the unit is still dead, the wiring or motor has failed. That’s when a plumber is worth the call. Both fixes need a pro.

How much does garbage disposal repair cost?

Most repairs run $100 to $450, averaging about $230. Clearing a clog or jam is $70 to $200. Leak repairs run $80 to $180 for a worn seal or flange, more if drain piping is involved. Labor is $50 to $125 an hour, and most companies charge a $70 to $130 diagnostic fee that usually credits toward the work. Prices fall in these ranges. Replacement runs $200 to $550 installed, which is often the better call on an older unit.

Why is my garbage disposal leaking?

Where it drips identifies the part. Water at the top rim means the sink flange seal or plumber’s putty failed a common, inexpensive fix. Leaks at the side connections point to the dishwasher hose or discharge tube gasket. Water dripping from the bottom of the housing is the one that matters: it means the internal motor seal has gone, and no repair reliably fixes that. Plumbers charge $80 to $180 for the fixable leaks. The bottom leak means replacement.

Should I repair or replace my garbage disposal?

Replace it if the unit is leaking from the bottom housing, is over about 10 years old, or needs resetting repeatedly. Those all point to a failing motor, and a new disposal costs $200 to $550 installed versus $230 average for a repair that may not last. Repair makes sense for jams, tripped resets, a leaking flange, or a bad drain connection. Quality units last 10 to 15 years; budget models 5 to 8. Plumbers can price both options.

Can I fix a garbage disposal myself?

Two problems, yes. Clearing a jam with a hex wrench and pressing the reset button cost nothing and solve most complaints. Beyond that, hand it off. Replacing seals, diagnosing a motor, or touching the wiring under a wet sink carries real risk, and improper work can void the manufacturer’s warranty. Never put your hand into the chamber, even with the power off. Plumbers charge a $70 to $130 diagnostic fee that is usually credited toward the final repair bill.

How can I keep the disposal from breaking again?

Most failures trace back to what goes in. Fibrous scraps celery, corn husks, onion skins, potato peels wrap the impellers and cause repeat jams. Grease solidifies downstream. Bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds, pasta, and rice all cause trouble. Run cold water before, during, and several seconds after each use. Skip chemical drain cleaners, which damage internal components. Grinding ice or citrus peel controls odor. Plumbers see the same handful of preventable failures over and over again every year.

Other Related Plumbing Services in Columbus

Search made easy

Search your nearby area for the service man

24/7 customer support

Search your nearby area for the service man

Make a confident choice

Search your nearby area for the service man

1.2 million + Plumber reviews analyzed

See customer stories
IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

What does the Wise Workman score mean?
<70 Low
71–80 Moderate
81–100 High
77.5
WW Score
Learn more about how the Wise Workman scoring system works, along with our data governance policy.
What things affect the Wise Workman score?
Price-Friendly
💰Professionalism:
Experience
🛠️Project
Completion

Want a quote from ?