Fix-it guides for Fullerton disposals

One guide per symptom. Each starts with the power off, walks through what is going on under the sink, and tells you the point where the job needs a plumber instead of a hex key.

Disposal hums but won't spin A hum with no grinding almost always means the motor has power but the flywheel is stuck. Most jams clear from below with a hex key, as long as the power is off first.
Disposal won't turn on at all Total silence usually means no power is reaching the motor. Working through the reset, the outlet, the breaker and the switch, in that order, finds most causes in minutes.
Leak where the disposal meets the sink Water at the very top of the disposal, right under the sink bowl, usually comes from the sink flange. It is one of the more fixable disposal leaks.
Disposal leaking from the bottom A leak from the underside of the housing usually means the seals inside the unit have failed. Because water is reaching the motor area, the standard answer is a new disposal.
Side leaks: dishwasher hose and drain elbow Two connections stick out of the side of most disposals: the dishwasher inlet and the drain elbow. Leaks at either one are usually fixable without replacing the unit.
Disposal keeps tripping the reset or breaker An occasional trip after a heavy load is normal. Repeated trips mean the motor is working too hard or there is an electrical fault, and the fix depends on which one.
When the disposal smells Most disposal odors come from food residue stuck under the splash guard and on the grinding parts. If the smell keeps coming back fast, the drain line may be part of the problem.
The disposal runs, but the sink still backs up A disposal that grinds normally while water sits in the sink is usually not the problem. The clog is further down, in the trap or the kitchen drain line.
Dishwasher won't drain after a new disposal New disposals ship with a plastic plug sealing the dishwasher inlet. If nobody knocks it out during installation, the dishwasher has nowhere to send its water.
Repair or replace your disposal? Problems at the connections and simple jams are usually repaired. Problems inside the unit, like a dead motor or a leaking housing, usually mean a new disposal.
Choosing a new garbage disposal The right disposal is the one that fits under your sink, suits how much you cook, and connects to your drain and power without surprises. Measure before you shop.
Disposal installation: what to expect A careful installation covers more than hanging a new unit. It includes the flange, the drain alignment, the dishwasher connection, the power, and a real leak test.
Disposal power, switches and permits How your disposal gets power affects what a repair or replacement involves. Simple swaps are one thing; new outlets, switches or circuits are electrical work with their own rules.
What not to put down a disposal A disposal handles soft food scraps. Grease, hard items, fibrous scraps and starches cause most jams and drain clogs, and older drain lines are the least forgiving.
Strange disposal noises A healthy disposal makes a steady whirr that changes pitch as it grinds. Metal-on-metal, rattling or squealing sounds usually point to a stray object, a loose mount or worn bearings.
Disposals and older drain lines A new disposal is only as good as the drain it empties into. In older Fullerton tract homes, the kitchen line and sewer lateral deserve a look when backups repeat.