Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation
Garbage Disposal Services Throughout Marin, Sonoma & Napa County
Your garbage disposal is one of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen. It performs best when installed and maintained correctly, making kitchen cleanup quicker, easier, and more sanitary.
Whether you want to install a new unit, replace your aging one, or need repairs for an existing garbage disposal, Ongaro & Sons is here to help. We provide professional garbage disposal services across the North Bay, including Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties.
Don’t let a faulty disposal slow you down, trust our licensed plumbing experts to get your kitchen back to running smoothly. Call 415-741-2820 or request services online to schedule your garbage disposal repair, replacement, or installation.
Our skilled plumbers handle everything from jammed blades and foul odors to complete system replacements. If your disposal is making unusual noises, draining slowly, or refusing to turn on, we’ll diagnose the issue and recommend the most cost-effective solution. At Ongaro & Sons, we bring decades of experience, fast response times, and upfront pricing to every job.
Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
You can extend the life of your new garbage disposal and prevent unexpected breakdowns with these simple maintenance tips:
Know What Not to Grind
Not all food waste belongs in your garbage disposal. Fibrous vegetables like celery, fruit pits, chicken bones, and shellfish shells can jam or damage your unit. Unless your disposal is designed to handle tougher waste, avoid grinding these items. Always refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines for best results.
Keep Grease Out
Pouring grease or oil down your disposal can coat the blades and pipes, eventually hardening into clogs. Over time, this buildup reduces your system’s efficiency and may lead to expensive repairs. Instead, collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the trash once cooled.
Freshen With Citrus
Grinding lemon, orange, or lime peels every so often can help deodorize your garbage disposal while naturally cleaning the blades. The citrus oils break down any grease that does make it in and freshen the unit, leaving your kitchen smelling clean. It’s an easy way to maintain both function and fragrance.
Flush With Cold Water
Always run a steady stream of cold water before, during, and after using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps solidify food waste, making it easier for the blades to chop and flush through the plumbing system. Let it run for 15–30 seconds after switching off the disposal.
Avoid Overloading
Resist the urge to stuff large amounts of food into the garbage disposal all at once. Overloading can strain the motor, dull the blades, and lead to blockages. Instead, feed scraps gradually and give the unit time to process each portion before adding more.
Join our Ongaro Maintenance Plans today to remove all the stress of maintaining your plumbing system. Enjoy priority service, friendly reminders, and other perks when you become a club member. Sign up today!
Garbage Disposal Repair
No matter how careful you are with your garbage disposal, breakdowns can happen. If your garbage disposal stops working or jams frequently, we can help. Contact us if you experience these problems:
- A garbage disposal that hums but doesn’t grind when you turn it on indicates it has power. Food or an object is likely jamming the grinding components.
- The garbage disposal works, but the water does not drain. The garbage disposal, the pipe under the sink, or the drain line is likely clogged.
- If you find water in your sink cabinet, the connections between pipes and your garbage disposal may be loose, or a worn rubber gasket at the top of the garbage disposal may need replacement.
Garbage Disposal Replacement and Installation
Garbage disposals last approximately 12 to 15 years if they are routinely maintained. If your unit jams up frequently or makes loud noises, it may be time to replace it. Every installation or replacement we handle is different because plumbing systems and electrical services vary from kitchen to kitchen. If this is your first garbage disposal, we can confirm if your plumbing is ready to handle a new appliance.
We can help you choose the best garbage disposal for your needs and budget:
- Do you want stainless steel or galvanized steel components in your new garbage disposal?
- Do you prefer a hardwired model or one that plugs into an electrical outlet?
- Is continuous feed or batch feed better for your needs?
If you have a big family and frequently prepare meals at home, you may need a unit with more horsepower. Typically, more powerful garbage disposals are bigger than standard models. The space available under your sink may dictate the brand or model you choose. A continuous feed garbage disposal enables you to add scraps as it operates. Batch feed models only run when a safety stopper covers the drain.
Our experts can advise you about the many features available, including noise reduction technology, single- and multiple-stage grinding, push-button starters, and dishwasher drain connectors.
At Ongaro & Sons, we offer convenient financing options (subject to approved credit) to help you purchase the right equipment and necessary installation services for your comfort and safety. Call us today for a free consultation.
Schedule Your Garbage Disposal Service
Don’t let a jammed or leaking disposal disrupt your home. We proudly serve Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties, including Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Novato, and surrounding cities. Call us now at 415-741-2820 or book your appointment online for prompt, professional garbage disposal service you can count on.
Your Comfort, Our Priority
Ongaro & Sons is your trusted heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and solar expert, specializing in reliable maintenance and repair services that keep your home running efficiently year-round.
Our certified technicians deliver unmatched expertise with fast, friendly service across Marin, Sonoma and Napa County. From HVAC tune-ups to plumbing repairs and electrical upgrades or solar solutions, we focus on energy-efficient performance and long-term comfort. Count on us to maintain the systems that power your home and keep your environment just the way you like it.
Licensed, Insured, Background-Checked
Our technicians are licensed, experienced, and trained to service all makes and models.
Locally Owned and Operated
Serving the Napa, Marin, and Sonoma communities with personalized, hometown service.
Reliable Repairs
We respond quickly and get the job done right the first time, with no surprises.
Since 1932
Why Ongaro & Sons for Garbage Disposals
Most disposal failures are drain problems wearing a disposal costume.
Schedule Service →The drain checked as well as the unit
A disposal that keeps backing up is frequently a partially blocked line downstream rather than a failed motor.
Sized for the household
Motor size and grind stage decide whether the unit copes. The cheapest unit is the one replaced soonest.
Electrical side handled in-house
Disposals need a properly switched and protected circuit. Holding C-10 means that is not a separate visit.
Mounting and connection done to last
Leaks at the sink flange and the dishwasher connection are the usual after-effects of a rushed install.
C-36 licensed, since 1932 in the North Bay
Family-owned and Diamond Certified since October 2016.
Discount
Membership
Ongaro Maintenance Plans
Annual maintenance on your home systems provides safeguards and comfort to you and your family. Members get priority scheduling, discounts, and proactive checkups that catch problems early.
Member Discounts
5% off every repair and replacement, all year long.
Peace of Mind
Proactive checkups catch issues before they become big problems.
Courtesy Reminders
We call you to schedule: never miss a seasonal service.
Value That Lasts
With Ongaro & Sons, you’re investing in quality, integrity, and service that stands the test of time. Explore our current promotions and see the difference real value makes for your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs.
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Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What can and can’t I put down my garbage disposal?
Garbage disposals can handle soft food scraps like fruit peels, cooked vegetables, and small bits of meat. Avoid putting down fibrous foods (like celery), grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, or hard items like bones, they can damage the blades or clog your pipes.
What should I do if my garbage disposal stops working mid-use?
First, turn off the switch. The blades may be jammed, but don’t put your hand inside. Your garbage disposal should have come with an Allen wrench (though any will do if it's the right size). Insert it into the hex-shaped hole in the bottom center of the unit and turn it back and forth to manually free the jammed flywheel. Once the jam is clear, check to see if you tripped the reset button (usually on the bottom of the unit). If it still won’t turn on or makes a humming noise, call a licensed plumber to avoid damaging the motor or electrical system.
Why won’t my garbage disposal turn on?
Check the reset button underneath the unit and your electrical breaker. If it still doesn’t work, the motor may need repair or replacement.