Garbage Disposal Repair, Installation & Replacement in Portland, OR

Sun Glow provides garbage disposal repair, installation, and replacement for homes throughout Portland, OR and the surrounding metro area. Whether your unit is jammed, leaking, or it's time for an upgrade, our plumbers handle it.

Need garbage disposal help right now? Call 503-253-7789 or request service online.

We serve the greater Portland metro area from two locations: our headquarters at 2428 SE 105th Ave in Portland, and our office at 7180 SW Sandburg St in Tigard.

Why Portland homeowners trust Sun Glow with their garbage disposal

• PGE Approved Contractor and a name Portland has known since 1972
• 4.9★ across 1,500+ Google reviews
• Licensed and bonded: Oregon CCB #48131, WA SUNGLI*088RB
• Family-owned and operated since 1972, now led by second-generation owners David and Dawn Golobay
• Our plumbers and electricians work together on installs, so wiring and plumbing get handled by the right specialist

We also handle hydro jetting, sewer repair, and the rest of your home's plumbing, so if a disposal issue turns out to be part of a bigger drain problem, we can take care of that too.

Garbage Disposal Repair

No matter how careful you are, breakdowns happen. If your garbage disposal stops working or jams frequently, here's what's usually going on:

• It hums but won't grind. That means it has power, but food or an object is jamming the grinding components.
• It runs, but the water doesn't drain. The disposal itself, the pipe underneath, or the drain line is likely clogged.
• You find water in your sink cabinet. The connections between the pipes and the disposal may be loose, or a worn rubber gasket at the top may need replacing.

Call us with any of these symptoms and we'll diagnose the actual cause instead of guessing.

Garbage Disposal Installation and Replacement

Garbage disposals last approximately 12 to 15 years with regular maintenance. If yours jams constantly or makes loud noises even after cleaning, it's probably time to replace it rather than keep repairing it.

Every installation is a little different, since plumbing and electrical setups vary from kitchen to kitchen. If this is your first garbage disposal, we'll confirm your plumbing and wiring can actually support one before we install anything.

We'll help you choose the right unit for your needs and budget:

• Stainless steel or galvanized steel components?
• A hardwired model or one that plugs into an outlet?
• Continuous feed, where you add scraps while it's running, or batch feed, which only runs with the safety stopper in place?

A bigger household that cooks often may want more horsepower, though the space under your sink can also dictate what fits. We can also walk you through features like noise reduction, multi-stage grinding, push-button starters, and dishwasher drain connectors. Ask about our financing options if that helps with the purchase.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance

A few habits go a long way toward avoiding a repair call in the first place:

• Grind a few lemon peels occasionally to keep the drain smelling fresh
• Skip fibrous foods like celery and hard waste like fruit pits or bones, unless your model is rated for multi-stage grinding
• Run a few ice cubes through occasionally to help sharpen the blades
• Keep grease and shellfish shells out entirely
• Run cold water while it's operating, and for a few seconds after, to flush particles through
• Avoid stuffing large amounts of scraps in at once

Join our Maintenance Membership Program for priority service and reminders so this stays off your mental to-do list.

Common Questions About Garbage Disposals in Portland

Does Portland's curbside composting program mean I don't need a garbage disposal?

Not necessarily. Portland's food scrap collection is great for larger volumes of waste, but a garbage disposal still handles the everyday scraps that would otherwise sit in your sink or trash between collection days, like plate scrapings, coffee grounds, and small prep waste. Most homeowners use both rather than picking one over the other.

Can older Portland homes support a garbage disposal?

Sometimes they need a little work first. A lot of older homes in the area were never wired with a dedicated outlet or GFCI protection under the sink, which a disposal needs to run safely. We check your electrical setup as part of any first-time installation and handle the wiring if it needs an upgrade.

Does Portland's water affect how long a garbage disposal lasts?

It actually works in your favor. Portland's municipal water, sourced from the Bull Run watershed, is naturally soft with low mineral content, which means less scale buildup inside your disposal compared to homes on harder water elsewhere. It's not a guarantee against wear, but it's one less thing working against your unit.

Can you fix a garbage disposal the same day I call?

Same-day service isn't guaranteed, but we do prioritize these calls, since a broken disposal usually means a sink you can't fully use. Call 503-253-7789 and describe what's happening. We serve Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, and the surrounding metro area, and how quickly we can get there depends on your location and the day's call volume.

Ready to Make Your Kitchen Easier to Manage?

Whether it's a repair, a replacement, or your first garbage disposal, Sun Glow is ready to help. Call 503-253-7789 or request service online to get started.