Humming, jammed, leaking, or completely dead — our licensed plumbers fix and install garbage disposals throughout Cape May County and Atlantic County, NJ.
Repair, replacement, or a first-time installation — we handle the full job including drain connections and electrical hookup coordination.
Garbage Disposal Repair
Humming without grinding, tripping the reset button repeatedly, or making a loud grinding noise — we diagnose what's actually wrong before recommending a fix. Many disposal problems are repairable: a jammed impeller, a clogged drain connection, or a faulty switch. We fix what's broken rather than defaulting to replacement.
Garbage Disposal Replacement
When a disposal has seized, cracked, or is simply worn out past useful life, we replace it. We match the new unit to your sink setup and usage needs — motor size, mounting type, and drain configuration — and have it running in a single visit.
New Disposal Installation
Adding a disposal to a sink that doesn't have one involves more than dropping in a unit — the drain needs to be configured for disposal connection, and an electrical outlet is required under the sink. We handle the plumbing side completely and coordinate the electrical work if a dedicated outlet isn't already in place.
Disposal Leak Repair
A leaking disposal drips from one of three places: the sink flange at the top, the drain connection on the side, or the bottom of the unit itself. A bottom leak usually means the internal seals have failed and the unit needs replacement. The other two are often repairable with fresh plumber's putty or a new gasket.
Know Your Problem
Common Disposal Problems We Fix.
Most disposal issues have an obvious cause once you know what to look for.
Humming, Won't Grind
Motor Runs But Nothing Happens
A disposal that hums but doesn't spin has a jammed impeller — something is wedged between the grinding plate and the shredder ring. The motor is still good, but the jam needs to be cleared to free the plate. Do not keep running a jammed disposal; the motor will overheat and the thermal reset will trip, or the motor will burn out entirely.
We clear the jam and restore full rotation — most jam repairs take under 30 minutes.
Won't Turn On
No Sound, No Response at All
A disposal that doesn't respond when switched on has either tripped its thermal reset (the small red button on the bottom of the unit — press it and try again), lost power to the outlet, or has a failed motor. The reset button fix takes 10 seconds. If that doesn't work, the issue is either electrical or the motor itself.
We test the outlet, switch, and motor to pinpoint the failure and repair or replace as needed.
Leaking
Water Under the Sink Near the Disposal
Where the leak originates determines whether it's a repair or a replacement. A leak at the top flange means the putty seal has failed — a straightforward re-seat. A leak at the side drain connection needs a fresh gasket. A leak from the bottom of the unit itself means the internal seals have failed, and the disposal should be replaced.
We locate the exact leak source before recommending repair or replacement — no unnecessary upselling.
Loud Grinding Noise
Metal-on-Metal Sound When Running
A grinding or rattling noise usually means something hard — a utensil, a bone fragment, a pit — has gotten past the splash guard and is bouncing around the grinding chamber. It can also be a worn impeller or a loose mounting ring. Running the disposal with a foreign object inside can damage the grinding ring quickly.
We remove the obstruction, inspect the grinding components, and confirm the unit runs cleanly before finishing.
Quick Guide
When to Call vs. When to Try It Yourself
Some disposal issues are genuinely DIY-friendly. These are the ones that aren't — and where calling saves the unit, or the cabinet under it.
01The unit hums but won't spin and the reset button didn't help — the jam needs to be cleared properly.
02Water is dripping from the bottom of the unit — internal seals have failed and it needs replacement.
03You want to add a disposal to a sink that doesn't have one — proper drain configuration and electrical are required.
04The drain backs up into the sink when the disposal runs — there's a blockage in the drain line beyond the unit.
05The disposal has been repaired more than once in the past year — it's likely at end of life and replacement is more economical.
Why Budd's
What Makes Us Different
Local & Licensed
Cape May Court House-based. Master Plumber License #13160. Disposal work done correctly and to code.
Same-Day Service
We aim to arrive the same day you call. Most disposal repairs and replacements are done in a single visit.
Transparent Pricing
We quote before we work. No surprise charges after the job. Free estimates on repairs and replacements.
Warranty-Backed Work
All installations and repairs carry our workmanship warranty. If something isn't right after we leave, we make it right.
Common Questions
Garbage Disposal FAQ
If the motor is good and the issue is a jam or a drain connection, repair almost always makes sense. If the unit is leaking from the bottom, grinding loudly from worn components, or has needed multiple repairs, replacement is usually the better value. Disposals typically last 8–12 years. We give you a straight answer on-site.
Turn it off immediately — running a jammed disposal overheats the motor. First, press the reset button on the bottom of the unit and try again. If it still only hums, the impeller is jammed and needs to be cleared. Most units come with an Allen wrench that fits the socket on the bottom — turning it back and forth manually can sometimes free the plate. If that doesn't work, call us.
The biggest offenders: grease and cooking oil (solidifies in the drain line), fibrous vegetables like celery and artichoke (wraps around the impeller), hard pits and bones (damages the grinding plate), and pasta or rice (expands with water and creates dense clogs). Coffee grounds won't hurt the disposal but accumulate in the drain over time. When in doubt, throw it in the trash instead.
Food residue builds up on the underside of the splash guard and in the grinding chamber over time. The easy fix: run cold water, drop in a few ice cubes and some coarse salt, and run the disposal. Ice helps scour the chamber walls. For persistent odor, a few citrus peels while running with water works well. If the smell is more like sewage than food, the issue is in the drain line, not the disposal itself.
Yes. The plumbing side involves modifying the sink drain to accept a disposal mount and configuring the drain connection. An electrical outlet is also required under the sink — if one isn't there, we coordinate with an electrician. We handle the full plumbing installation and walk you through the electrical requirements so there are no surprises.
Where We Work
Serving Cape May & Atlantic Counties
Garbage disposal repair and installation throughout Cape May County and Atlantic County, NJ — most calls are same-day.
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