In Fairfax, a disposal that hums, stays silent or drips is usually jammed, tripped or leaking at a seal or connection. A few safe checks can narrow it down before a plumber arrives. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax.
The City of Fairfax is a small independent city and the county seat, surrounded by Fairfax County. The median home in the area dates to about 1967, so many kitchens have older drain lines behind updated cabinets. Water comes from Fairfax Water. Inside city limits, the City's Department of Public Works handles wastewater, while Fairfax-addressed homes outside the city are on Fairfax County sewer.
Steps to take now
- Turn the switch off and cut power at the plug or the breaker.
- With a flashlight, check the chamber and remove anything hard using tongs.
- Press the red overload button underneath the unit.
- If the motor was humming, turn the hex socket under the unit back and forth until the plate spins.
- Restore power, run cold water and try once. Stop if it trips or hums again.
- Put a tray under any drip and keep the dishwasher off until it is fixed.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | What usually causes it |
|---|---|
| Hum, no rotation | Jammed turntable or worn bearings |
| Silence at the switch | Overload tripped, breaker off, bad switch |
| Water at the sink opening | Dried flange seal or loose mount |
| Water at a side port | Loose dishwasher or drain connection |
| Water from below | Failed internal seal; replacement is typical |
| Slow sink, unit runs fine | Buildup in the trap or older drain arm |
What affects the cost
- Clearing and resetting versus mounting a new unit
- The unit you pick, from basic to heavier-duty models
- Old drain fittings that crack or will not reseal
- A clogged branch line that needs its own cleaning
- Permits: inside the city, plumbing permit applications go to City Code Administration; outside it, Fairfax County Land Development Services handles them
For a sewer problem inside city limits, City wastewater services are at 703-385-7810, with after-hours emergencies at 703-385-7924. Fairfax-addressed homes on county sewer can call Fairfax County's 24-hour line, 703-323-1211. Fairfax Water's Potomac plant reports hardness of about 70 to 185 mg/L, enough for some scale on flanges and seals over time. In homes from the 1960s, replacing the unit is also a natural moment to look at the trap and drain arm, since old fittings can split when they are moved.
Garbage Disposals questions in Fairfax
Who do I call if sewage is coming back from the public sewer?
Is a permit needed to swap out a garbage disposal?
The disposal makes no sound at all. What should I check?
Why does the sink smell even after the disposal runs?
More plumbing services in Fairfax
Garbage Disposals nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: