Top Garbage Disposal Service Companies in Austin, Texas Ranked

A garbage disposal is a powerful kitchen appliance that grinds food waste into tiny particles, allowing it to be washed safely down your drain. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for preventing clogs, eliminating odors, and ensuring the longevity of your home's plumbing system. This guide is designed to help Austin homeowners understand their options for installing a new unit or repairing an existing one, providing the knowledge needed to connect with qualified local professionals for the job.

Austin's Greatest Plumbing

2210 Melissa Oaks Ln, Austin, TX 78744

Austin's Greatest Plumbing offers a wide range of plumbing services in Austin, TX, including sewer camera inspections, water heater installation and repair, drain cleaning, leak detection, and gas line installation. They use advanced technology such as video camera inspections to accurately diagnose plumbing issues and provide solutions like whole house repiping and slab leak repair. The company provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services to handle urgent problems like burst pipes and significant leaks, ensuring timely assistance whenever needed.

5.0

227 Reviews

Crows Plumbing Service

1500 Chisholm Trail Rd suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78681

Crows Plumbing Service is a family-owned plumbing company serving Austin, TX, and nearby areas with over 20 years of experience. They provide a wide range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line repair, leak detection, gas line installation, toilet repair, and garbage disposal repair. Their team is skilled in handling both residential and commercial plumbing needs, offering same-day service to address urgent issues. One of their notable capabilities is hydro jetting, which effectively clears stubborn blockages in drains and sewer lines. Established in 2007, Crows Plumbing Service combines local expertise with a service warranty for added customer assurance.

4.9

2.1k Reviews

Plumbing Outfitters

24 Co Rd 496, Taylor, TX 76574

Plumbing Outfitters is a licensed plumbing company serving Austin, TX, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Led by Master Plumber Warren Stroud and co-owner Ashley Stroud, the team offers a wide range of services including sewer camera inspections, water heater installation and repair, drain cleaning, leak detection, repiping, and sump pump repair. They use advanced diagnostic tools such as cameras and pressure gauges to provide code-compliant plumbing solutions with materials like copper and PVC. With decades of combined experience, Plumbing Outfitters focuses on clear diagnostics and honest repairs to address plumbing challenges in both older and remodeled homes. They also provide 24-hour emergency plumbing services for urgent issues like slab leaks and burst pipes.

4.9

1.4k Reviews

ABC Home & Commercial - Plumbing Services Department

9475 US-290, Austin, TX 78724

ABC Home & Commercial - Plumbing Services Department provides a wide range of plumbing services in Austin, TX. Their licensed plumbers handle everything from clogged drains, leak detection, and toilet repairs to water heater installation and gas line work. They use video technology for sewer camera inspections to accurately diagnose issues. ABC offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent problems any time of day or night. Their plumbing services are supervised by a licensed Master Plumber and backed by a one-year guarantee on parts and labor, along with a Comfort Guarantee for emergency situations.

4.9

963 Reviews

OnCall Plumbing

247 Clear Frk Lp, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

OnCall Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Austin, TX, and the surrounding Central Texas area. They provide a wide range of services including tankless water heater installation, leak detection, sewer line repair, repiping, toilet repair, and garbage disposal repair. Established in 2010, OnCall Plumbing brings over 20 years of professional experience to residential, commercial, and new construction clients. The company offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent needs promptly.

4.9

582 Reviews

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Understanding Garbage Disposal Services in Austin

When your kitchen sink disposal stops working, you need a reliable solution. Local services typically fall into two main categories: repair and installation. A repair might involve fixing a jam, replacing a worn impeller, or addressing an electrical issue. A full installation is required for a new kitchen setup or when an old unit is beyond repair. Given the combination of plumbing and electrical work involved-especially connecting to the dishwasher drain line-this task often requires the expertise of a licensed plumber to ensure safety and compliance with local codes in Austin ^{1 2}.

Choosing the right service professional means finding someone skilled in both the mechanical and fluid-handling aspects of the job. A properly installed disposal protects your pipes from blockages and helps maintain a hygienic kitchen environment ³.

The Cost of Garbage Disposal Services in Austin

Budgeting for this project involves both the cost of the unit and the labor for installation. In Austin, prices can vary based on the horsepower of the disposal, the complexity of the job, and the rates of the service provider.

• Unit Cost: The appliance itself can range from around $50 for a basic, lower-horsepower model to over $200 for a high-performance unit with advanced features ^{4 5}.
• Replacement Cost: If you're swapping out an old disposal for a new one using the existing connections, the total cost (including labor and materials) typically falls between $200 and $550 ⁴.
• New Installation Cost: Installing a disposal where one didn't exist before, which may require new electrical wiring and plumbing adjustments, generally ranges from $250 to $650 ⁴. Big-box store installation services can add approximately $120 to $200 to the price of the unit ⁶.
• Total Project Estimates: When you combine all factors, a complete garbage disposal project in Austin can range from about $278 to over $600 ^{4 5}.

The final price depends on the specific conditions under your sink. A straightforward replacement on a pre-existing mount is less expensive than a new install that requires running a new circuit or modifying drain pipes.

Choosing the Right Garbage Disposal Unit

Selecting the correct disposal isn't just about price; it's about matching the unit's power to your household's needs. Horsepower (HP) is the key metric, indicating grinding strength and capacity.

• 1/3 to 1/2 HP: Ideal for smaller households of 1-3 people. A 1/3 HP model is sufficient for basic, occasional use ⁷.
• 5/8 to 3/4 HP: The most common choice for average households of 3-5 people. This range offers significantly better grinding power for everyday meal prep ⁷.
• 1 to 1 1/4 HP: Best for larger families (4+ people) or homes that frequently process food waste. These high-power models can handle tougher items and heavier volumes ⁷.

Consider your cooking habits and family size when deciding. Investing in a slightly more powerful unit than the minimum can prevent jams and extend the appliance's life.

The Professional Installation Process Explained

Hiring a professional ensures the job is done safely and correctly. Here's what a typical installation or replacement entails:

1. Safety First: The technician will always start by turning off the power to the disposal at the home's main circuit breaker ^{8 1}.
2. Disconnect & Remove: The old unit is disconnected from the drain pipes and electrical wiring, then detached from its mounting assembly under the sink ^{8 9}.
3. Prepare the Sink: The new sink flange is sealed with plumber's putty and installed in the drain hole to create a watertight seal ⁸.
4. Mount the New Unit: The mounting assembly is attached to the flange, and the new disposal is secured into place ⁸.
5. Connect Plumbing: The drain lines are reconnected, including the important link to the dishwasher drain hose if applicable. Most disposals have a plugged port that must be knocked out to accept this connection ^{8 3}.
6. Electrical Connection: The wires are securely connected, a step that requires electrical knowledge to ensure safe and proper function ^{1 9}.
7. Final Test: Power is restored, and the unit is tested for leaks, unusual noises, and proper operation ⁹.

This process usually takes a skilled professional between 1 to 2 hours ¹⁰.

Key Considerations for Austin Homeowners

Beyond the basics, a few local factors can influence your disposal project.

• Dishwasher Drainage: If you have a dishwasher, it should always drain through the garbage disposal. This allows food particles to be ground up before entering your waste line, preventing clogs further down the pipe. Ensuring this connection is properly made is a standard part of a professional install ^{8 3}.
• Placement Under the Sink: The disposal can be installed on either side of a double-basin sink. The choice often comes down to convenience-placing it on the side you use most for food prep-and the existing layout of plumbing and electrical lines ¹¹.
• Preventing Future Problems: Even with a disposal, certain items should never go down the drain. Fibrous foods like celery, onion skins, and corn husks can tangle the impellers, while coffee grounds and grease can accumulate and cause blockages in your home's pipes ^{3 11}.

Why Professional Expertise Matters

While a determined DIYer can install a disposal, there are compelling reasons to hire a professional plumber in Austin. The task sits at the intersection of plumbing and electrical work. A mistake in wiring can be a fire hazard or shock risk, while an improper plumbing connection can lead to leaks that cause water damage under your sink ^{1 2}. A licensed professional brings the experience to navigate these complexities, obtain any necessary permits, and ensure the installation meets all safety standards, giving you peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions

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