When a Centennial disposal hums, won't start or leaves water in the cabinet, the cause is usually a jam, a tripped reset, a failed seal or a worn motor. A plumber can tell you whether to fix it or replace it, and check the kitchen drain while they're there. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Centennial.
Centennial's setup
Centennial doesn't run its own sewer. Depending on the address, wastewater goes to one of several districts, including Southgate Sanitation, South Arapahoe Sanitation, Castlewood Water and Sanitation, ACWWA and East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation. Your bill names the district. That matters if a backup goes beyond your kitchen, because the district handles its mains while a plumber handles the lines inside and under your home.
The city's Building Division requires a permit for any work on plumbing systems. For a disposal, that question usually comes up when drain piping or wiring changes, so ask the plumber to confirm before work starts.
Fix it or replace it
| Problem | Points to a fix | Points to a new unit |
|---|---|---|
| Humming | Jam that a hex key frees | Motor still hums when empty |
| Leak | Loose flange or slip nut | Cracked or rusted housing |
| Noise | Utensil or bone in the chamber | Worn bearings, constant rattle |
| Age | A few years old | Ten years or more with repeat problems |
Signs to call
- The reset button won't stay in
- Water puddles under the sink after use
- Waste comes back up into the opposite basin
- The unit trips a breaker or GFCI
- A rotten smell that cleaning doesn't fix
- Grinding that takes far longer than it used to
Seasonal notes
Disposals rarely fail at a convenient time, but a few habits stretch their life. Run cold water before, during and for several seconds after grinding so scraps clear the trap. Feed scraps in gradually rather than all at once. Grind a few ice cubes now and then to knock debris off the grinding ring.
Thanksgiving and other big cooking days put a heavy load on disposals, especially with peels, rice and greasy pans. Spread the work out, run plenty of cold water, and put grease in the trash. Centennial winters also bring cold nights, and a kitchen sink on an outside wall drains slower when grease has already lined the pipe. If the sink starts gurgling or draining slowly, get it looked at before a holiday rather than during one. A plumber can clear the line ahead of time far more easily than with a sink full of standing water and guests on the way.
Garbage Disposals questions in Centennial
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
The grinder works, so why is the sink still slow to drain?
If I run hot water, can bacon grease go down the disposal?
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