1F · Main floor · Coon Rapids & north metro
Garbage disposal repair & replacement.
AP Plumbing repairs and replaces garbage disposals in Coon Rapids and 14 north-metro cities. Jams and humming motors can often be freed. A disposal leaking from its body or a dead motor means a new unit, installed with the dishwasher inlet and drain slope done right.
5.0 · 513 Google reviews
What you’re looking atA garbage disposal, cut open
- Mounting assembly
Clamps the disposal to the sink flange. A leak at the top usually means this seal, or the putty under the flange, has failed.
- Grinding chamber
Food gets flung against a grind ring here. InSinkErator says grease, fat, clam and oyster shells and caustic drain cleaners don’t belong in it.
- Motor
A hum with no spin usually means a jam. If freeing the turntable doesn’t help, or it keeps tripping its reset, the motor is worn out.
- Discharge outlet
Carries ground waste to the trap. The drain line must slope at least ¼ inch per foot, with the drain connection lower than the outlet.
- P-trap
Where the disposal’s waste joins the kitchen drain. Minnesota code bars connecting a dishwasher drain here, on the disposal’s discharge side.
- Cord & outlet
Cord-connected disposals plug into a grounded three-prong receptacle, usually switched at the counter.
01The short answer
Hums, jams, leaks, or just quits?
In one paragraph
A disposal that hums but won’t spin is usually jammed and can often be freed with the hex wrench that fits the bottom. One that leaks from its body, rusts through or keeps tripping after it’s cleared needs replacing. Coon Rapids requires a permit to replace one.
Disposals are simple machines: a motor, a spinning plate and a grind ring. Most calls are jams, leaks at a connection, or a unit that has worn out.
Replacing a disposal
- Old unit off; the mount and sink flange resealed
- A new disposal sized for how you cook
- The dishwasher inlet plug knocked out if the dishwasher drains through it
- Drain slope and trap checked, then leak-tested
On a septic system?
University of Minnesota septic experts recommend against garbage disposals on septic systems: food waste adds large amounts of sludge, so the tank needs pumping more often. That matters in Ham Lake and other parts of the north metro on private septic.
02Symptoms
What your disposal is telling you.
The common failures, from a simple jam to a unit that’s done.
| What you notice | What it usually means | How soon to call |
|---|---|---|
| Hums but won’t spin | A jam: the turntable is stuck on something hard. | This week |
| Does nothing at all | The reset button tripped, the switch or outlet failed, or the motor burned out. | This week |
| Leaks from the top | A failed mounting seal or putty under the sink flange. | This week |
| Leaks from a side connection | A loose dishwasher inlet or discharge connection. | This week |
| Leaks from the bottom | The unit’s internal seals have failed. Time to replace it. | Today |
| Backs up into the other sink | A clog in the trap or drain line past the disposal. | This week |
| Grinding or rattling noise | Something hard in the chamber, like a utensil or bottle cap. Turn the power off before reaching in. | Today |
03Repair or replace
Free the jam, or replace the unit?
Fix it if
- It’s jammed and frees up with the hex wrench
- A connection is loose, not the unit itself
- It runs strong once it’s cleared
Replace it if
- Water leaks from the body or the bottom
- The motor hums and trips even after the jam is cleared
- It’s rusted, or clogs under normal use
04Minnesota field notes
Disposal rules and manufacturer warnings.
Rules and numbers that apply to homes here, each with its source.
Coon Rapids permits
Required
Coon Rapids requires a plumbing permit to replace a garbage disposal. Blaine does not require one for a disposal swap.
Septic homes
Skip it
University of Minnesota septic experts say disposals shouldn’t be used with septic systems because food waste adds large amounts of sludge.
Source: University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
Dishwasher drain
Upstream only
A dishwasher drain may not connect on the discharge side of a disposer; directional wye fittings are required where a disposer joins a continuous waste.
Cold water
Required
Minnesota code requires a cold water supply for food waste disposers.
Drain slope
¼ in./ft
The disposer’s drain line must slope at least ¼ inch per foot, with the drain connection lower than the disposer outlet.
How to use it
Cold water
Run cold water before turning the disposer on and for several seconds after grinding to flush the drain line. Never grease or fat.
Checked October 2026. Codes and city rules change; your permit office has the final word.
05Real work
Disposals swapped, leaks found on the way.
Denis did an awesome job with replacing our garbage disposal. Everything was tested and he even replaced our second strainer after finding out that was leaking. Would highly recommend if you're looking for quality, honest plumbers.
Kevin A.Google review · Apr 2024
“Denis was very quick to arrive when we needed him. Very kind. Helped us with our garbage disposal and easily worked out why our hot water pressure was low. Highly recommend.”
Charles R. · Google review · Feb 2026
“Reconfigured drain pipes under my kitchen sink and installed new toilet. Very competent and personable. I highly recommend them.”
Dennis L. · Google review · Oct 2026
06Questions
Garbage disposals questions, answered.
Straight answers, with the source when a rule or number is involved. Still not sure? Call and describe it.
QWhy does my garbage disposal hum but not turn?
It’s usually jammed. Turn off the power, then use the hex wrench that fits the socket in the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth until the turntable spins freely. Press the reset button and try again. If it still hums or trips, the motor may be failing.
Source: InSinkErator installation, care & use manual
QShould I repair or replace my garbage disposal?
Repair it if it’s jammed, a connection is loose, or it runs strong once cleared. Replace it if water leaks from the body or bottom, the motor keeps tripping after a jam is cleared, or it’s rusted. Internal seal failures aren’t worth repairing.
QDo I need a permit to replace a garbage disposal?
In Coon Rapids, yes: the city lists garbage disposal replacement among the jobs that require a plumbing permit. Rules vary by city; Blaine, for example, lists disposal replacement as work that doesn’t need a permit.
Source: City of Coon Rapids; City of Blaine “When is a Permit Required”
QCan I have a garbage disposal with a septic system?
University of Minnesota septic experts recommend against it. Food waste from a disposal adds large amounts of sludge to the septic tank, so it needs pumping more often. If your home is on septic, compost or trash food scraps instead.
Source: University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
QWhat shouldn’t go down a garbage disposal?
InSinkErator says never put grease or fat, clam or oyster shells, or caustic drain cleaners into a disposal. Run cold water before turning it on and for several seconds after grinding so the waste clears the drain line.
Source: InSinkErator installation, care & use manual
07Related
Often the same visit. Often the same wall.
- 1FDishwashersDishwasher hookups with a proper drain air gap or high loop.
- YARDDrainsClogged sinks, tubs, floor drains and main sewer lines cleared.
- 2FFaucetsDripping or failing faucets, fixed or swapped, with new shutoff valves where needed.
- 2FBathroom & kitchen remodelingPermitted rough-in and finish plumbing for remodels.
- Coon Rapids
- Anoka
- Champlin
- Ramsey
- Andover
- Ham Lake
- Blaine
- Lexington
- Lino Lakes
- Spring Lake Park
- Mounds View
- Shoreview
- New Brighton
- Fridley
- Columbia Heights
Each city page has that city’s own water report numbers, permit rules and sewer-line responsibilities.
08Call us
Call the people who know your house inside out.
(612) 245‑7341Mon – Sat · 8 AM – 10 PM
- Hours
- Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 10 PM · Sunday closed
- Address
- 12433 Uplander St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
- Serving
- Coon Rapids and 14 north‑metro cities · see the map